Sleeping Habits

The last major aspect in succeeding in college is having good sleeping habits.  There are many reasons why college students sleep in whenever they have a chance to because they’re exhausted, seep deprived, and in need of some zzzzz’s at any given time!  I am going to give you some helpful steps that a college student can avoid sleep deprivation. 

Step #1: Do your best to make sure you get a certain amount of sleep every night.  This step is the first step because having widely varying amount of sleep each night like 7 hours on Monday, 2 hours on Tuesday, can wreak havoc on your body’s ability to really rest and recover as you sleep.  Getting a decent and consistent amount of sleep each night is your best bet for not feeling exhausted during you entire 4 (or 5, 6, or 7) years of college.  You should at least get 8 or 9 hours of sleep every night!

Step #2: Exercise.  Exercise can keep you healthy and help you sleep better.  Finding time to exercise is easier than you think.  You can exercise when you don’t have any classes or when you are simply just hanging around your dorm room. 

Step #3: Don’t pull all-nights!  The dreaded all-nighter is a rite of passage for many, if not most, college students.   Yet they are positively dreadful on your body and mind!!  Do you best to figure out how to not procrastinate in the first place so you don’t have to pull all-nighters during you time in school.

 Step #4: Eat well.  Eating well can help you sleep more restful and productive.  Think about how you could feel if you eat a good breakfast, healthy lunch, and not-so-crazy dinner.  By eating well it will make you wake up on time and your body is ready to go in the morning.  Remember, your sleeping hours can be affected by what you eat.  So, choose wisely!!

 Step #5: Make sure your sleep is restful.  When you are about to fall asleep you should cut the TV off, the lights off, turn your cell phone off, your roommate’s music off, and have nobody trying to come in to hang out.  So do your best to make sure that when you go to sleep that you have cut off everything and locked your door were you can actually sleep. 

If you go by these five little steps each day, you will surely get the right amount of sleep!!

Priority

Another major aspect to succeeding in college is the ability to have proper listing of priorities.  If a student in college is not focused his class or studies then he or she will not excel.  One of my personal experiences is when I go to the gym every day I come across other ECCC students and hear what their plans for the week or day are.  Almost always I hear the fellow students talk about doing nothing but partying, dating, hunting, or just hanging out with other friends while just brushing off homework and studying till the last minute or studying just enough to barely past the test.  While I do agree that occasionally young people do need a break from constant schooling and studying, luxuries need to be held off when the timing is appropriate.  The focus is not on the future, it is merely on what makes someone feel good at the time and don’t know the balance.  A person that goes off to constantly party, hangout, or engage in other luxuries does not have their priority on his or her future, and not on what is important for his or her future.  College is not a time to goof off, party hardy, or to just have fun.  Your studies should be the number one priority if you hope to have a secured future.  You need to look at your daily activities and honestly ask yourself, “Are my priorities focused on securing my future and success in college or is it on what “feels” good now?”  I implore everyone who reads this and the others to come to seriously take a hard look at your life now and see if you can see your life headed in the right direction.  Ten years from now you don’t want to look back on your life and say, “I should have had my head on straight and had my priorities focused on what was important.” 

Psyched for School

Another key to success in college is having a positive outlook. If you come to class expecting it to be dull and boring, chances are it will be. Come to class prepared and on time as mentioned before, but also expect to recieve enlightenment. Having a positive attitude toward your instructors, classmates and assignments will reflect your urge to learn and your instructors will be more willing to help you in your time of need. Instructors do not want to help someone who will not help themselves. If you put forth effort, most likely you will recieve the help you need. This may sound simple and silly, but a little positive attitude in college, and in life, will get you farther than complaining ever will.

Classroom Etiquette

Having a good classroom etiquette is an essential factor to college success. Arriving late or leaving early not only disrupts the class and irritates instructors, but you also miss out on valuable resources and disscussions. Always be prepared for class by bringing class materials and a mind that is ready to learn. Giving your undivided attention is very important to your success. Don't let yourself use your cellphone or do anything else while in class. Always feel open to ask questions so you know exactly what is going on and you can keep track of the lesson. Last but not least, never procrastinate. Procrastination can lead to stress and can make you feel overwhelmed. Try to get homework and studying done as soon as possibe so you will have no worries. Be a great student by having this classroom etiquette!