It’s a bit of a cliché that we all make new resolutions and promises to ourselves each January. When, in reality, we are able to make these goals all year long. However, the beginning of a year signifies a fresh start for us all, and therefore it’s a perfect time to assess what’s good and not so good in our lives at present. And then implement some changes accordingly. 

If you are looking for some inspiration of ways to improve your student lifestyle, then here are a few ideas to get your resolution list started…

 

Work smarter

If working from home has taught us anything, it’s that we need to work smarter. That is making the most of the time we have at your disposal and being more efficient with it.

You can begin with organising your time effectively. Don’t rely on your memory to keep track of deadlines – log when things are due by entering them into a calendar or an online schedule.

Also break things down into manageable chunks. Big assignments and projects can feel overwhelming, making them hard to get started. But, if you break the project down into smaller chunks, then you can mark each stage off as completed once you are done. You are bound to feel much more satisfaction this way, rather than cramming everything in as a deadline date looms close.

 

Cut down on distractions

The downside of working from home is that there are plenty of distractions to take your attention away from the task at hand. Checking your social media feed, catching up with the latest Netflix episode and strolling to your fridge for yet another snack are all diversions that can start to eat into your time if they are not kept under control.

So, by creating a daily schedule, you can allow time for these activities at a planned time, so that you have rewards to look forward to. For example, you could plan in a 15-minute social media break having completed 2 hours of revision. Or, fit in an episode of Prison Break after having finished your latest assignment.

It might sound drastic, but even planning in food breaks to your daily schedule can save you time. As well as reducing binge eating on snacks that you don’t really need!

 

Keep healthy

Speaking of food, now’s the time to assess the state of your diet and overall health – both mentally and physically.

Your diet can play a big part in the way you feel and perform each day, so it’s vital that you fuel your body with the right stuff. Sugary treats, salty snacks and calorific meals may all offer short-term pleasure, but the problem is that those benefits are very short termed indeed.

As a student, there’s no doubt you will be on a tight budget when it comes to buying food, however, healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive. Stock up on fresh fruit and veg from the nearest weekly market to you. And, when it comes to vital wholegrains including rice, oats and barley, try to buy these in bulk online to get the best economies of scale.

Exercise is also an important factor in your mental and physical wellbeing. Make sure you factor in time for at least 30 minutes of exercise per day – and try to get outdoors to do the majority of it. A gentle jog, a power walk or a cycle ride are all great options for outdoor activities. Otherwise, when the weather is bad, try some online yoga classes or Hiit training. There are thousands of free classes available to try on YouTube.

 

Keep your student home in check

Tidy home, tidy mind – this old phrase really does have a true message! If your student home is full of clutter and rubbish, then your mind will naturally become filled with clutter too – making it very hard to study or relax.

Student flats don’t get a good rep in terms of being well-kept and tidy, but now is the time to change that! By taking pride in the place you live, you are more likely to take pride in the other things you do every day.

Keep up-to-date with your laundry. Wash your dirty pots immediately after use. And, put a rota in place with flat mates for hoovering, bathroom cleaning and fridge clean duties. These are three simple rules for keeping your student home looking as luxurious as the day you moved in.

 

We hope you have a healthy and happy 2021, and are here anytime you need to contact us about your student home.