University life can be exciting, rewarding, and meaningful, but let’s be honest, it can also be overwhelming. Between classes, assignments, exams, work, and everything else competing for your time and energy, taking care of yourself can sometimes fall to the bottom of the to do list. The truth is, your wellbeing is not a “nice to have”, it’s the foundation that supports your learning, motivation, and success. Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to mean making huge changes or having everything figured out. It starts with small, realistic choices that help you feel more balanced, supported, and resilient throughout your academic journey.
The Basics Matter
Taking care of yourself starts with the little things, like making sure you’ve got good food in your system, getting enough sleep, and moving your body to fuel your studies. Being
nourished, rested, and active helps you de-stress, cope better with university stress, and
maintain a healthier balance between your studies and your personal life.
• Eat well. Making sure you’re intaking enough calories to keep you going (bonus
points if you’re getting enough fruits and veggies!) is crucial to keep your brain going
at its fullest potential. Let’s be clear – you do not need to have a perfect diet. But if
you’re able to incorporate some balanced nutritional choices into your lifestyle,
that’s a huge win, and your brain will thank you for it.
• Movement is important. Movement can be very difficult to find time for as
university students – especially in our beloved, but very cold city. However,
incorporating movement into your lifestyle can have huge benefits for your mental
health. It doesn’t have to be life altering, you don’t need to hit the gym 5 times a
week (although kudos to you if that’s a goal of yours), consider just adding a
stretching routine before bed, or trying some yoga, or maybe trying a dance class
with your friends. Movement should be joyful, not punishing, so pick something cool
that you’ve always wanted to try and go for it!
• Get enough sleep. Picture this -you’ve got an exam tomorrow morning that you
haven’t had enough time to study for. You decide to grab a caffeinated drink and pull
an all-nighter with the hopes of absorbing as much information as possible. This
might seem like the best way to prepare for an exam on short notice, but it’s going to
do more damage than good. Don’t worry, there’s no judgment, we’ve all been there,
but we promise, getting a good night’s sleep will make your brain feel so much
better. In general, even if you aren’t preparing for an upcoming evaluation, having a
consistent sleep schedule, and aiming for 7 – 9 hours of sleep per night will greatly
increase your cognitive functioning. Trust us, your brain loves routine.
Stay Connected with Your Circle
Listen- university life is busy. There are papers due, exams coming up, assignments to turn in, class to attend – it’s understandable that you don’t always have the time or emotional bandwidth to spend with your loved ones. However, taking a break from studying and connecting with the people in your circle can help your brain reset. Mental breaks are important for your wellbeing and can keep you from burning out.
• Make time for friends and family. Surrounding yourself with loved ones is surefire
way to fight the isolation that so many university students struggle with. It’s easy to
get so wrapped up in studying that we sometimes forget to check in with the
relationships that mean the most to us- but prioritizing those people that make time
fly is important for your mental health. Go for a walk with a friend, grab a coffee with
a loved one, whatever fits in your schedule!
Be Your Own Best Friend
Self-compassion is one of the most important skills you can develop throughout university. Be proud of how hard you’ve worked to get here! You deserve the same love, support, compassion and grace that you would give to your best friend. Check out some of these tips to put this into practice:
• Practice self-kindness. University can be hard. Assignments and evaluations are
meant to challenge your brain to grow- this struggle is a good thing. Be kind to
yourself and recognize that what you are doing is hard. Practising self-kindness can
seem like a big task when you’re overwhelmed, but it is so important for your mental
wellbeing.
• Embrace good enough. Of course you should always strive to do your best, but it’s
also important to listen to your mind and your body- if they’re telling you that you
need a break, embrace ‘good enough’. ‘Good enough’ isn’t the same as not trying,
‘good enough’ is recognition that you have accomplished everything you can at your
current capacity. Give yourself grace and acknowledge that perfection is not
sustainable.
• Rest is productive. It’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of needing to be
‘productive’. As university students, we’re encouraged to study hard, work hard, and
play hard- all of which are good things! But don’t forget to rest hard too. Take a break
from screens, make a warm drink, get into a hobby, whatever allows your brain to
settle down, and embrace the fact that taking a pause and resting your mind will
allow you to hit the ground running again tomorrow.
Use Resources
• Mentoring Centre. Come see the mentors (that’s us!) if you need any support with
study tips, exam prep, or schedule building.
• Academic Writing Help Centre (AWHC). Check out AWHC if you need help with
understanding your assignment instructions, with building a thesis, or with
structuring your essays.
• Academic Accommodations. Don’t be afraid to investigate your options.
Accommodations can range from extra time on exams to quiet rooms to take your
test in. Figure out what works best for you!
Taking care of yourself looks different for everyone, and there’s no one “right” way to do it. Whether it’s prioritizing sleep, staying connected with the people who support you, practising self compassion, or reaching out for help when you need it, every small step counts. University is a marathon, not a sprint, and you don’t have to do it alone. Be gentle with yourself, listen to what your mind and body are telling you, and remember that support is always available. You’re doing the best you can with what you have, and that truly is enough.