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5 Tips to Starting Your Semester Off on the Right Foot

Posted by Dawn on August 26, 2019

Members of the NAU Swimming and Diving team wave during move-in day at Northern Arizona on Thursday, August 25, 2016, in Flagstaff, Arizona. (Joel Wolfson)If you’re looking for ways to help you start off the semester, look no further. First off – don’t compare yourself to other people who seem to have it all together. No one actually has it all together. Everyone is strugglin’ with something! However, minimizing that stress is what we are here for.

Here are FIVE ways to get your year started off right!

  1. Keep a calendar

Whether it is a planner, a white board calendar, or a piece of paper, writing down your assignments for the week or even the month will help keep you from missing key assignments and appointments.

I know that I probably would have missed so many assignments, birthdays, and shifts at work if I didn’t put them in my calendar.  Now, if you have tried this multiple times and it has never worked, try putting assignments into your phone calendar.

Anything that helps you remember, because, if you are anything like me, if I don’t write it down, it ain’t happenin’.

  1. Don’t over-fill your plate

This is the story of my life. I sign up for too many shifts at work, make plans with a friend, procrastinate on homework, and think to myself, “Yeah, I can take 9 classes this semester.”  And then I am so confused as to why I have no time to myself to even breathe!  So here I am stressed out and not sure what to do.

Now hold on, before you say that taking 9 classes is a cake walk, remember that everyone’s plate is a different size! One person’s over-flowing plate is another’s empty plate. The best way to make sure you are not over-packing yourself with events is to always save one day to sleep in and do nothing and one day to do the majority of your homework. Just make sure you aren’t pushing that homework day until the day everything is due!

  1. Get something to eat 

Ever in class and your stomach just screams “IM HUNGRY”? While that is a normal part of bodily functions and you should not feel embarrassed about that, it does mean you should probably eat a little something.

A happy stomach and adequate blood sugars to the brain will help you maintain that concentration in a tough class. Easy, ready to grab snacks are a life-saver if you forget to get breakfast or don’t have time before class. Try stocking up on energy bars, fruits, or trail mix so you can have enough energy to make it through the day.

  1. Schedule in physical activity that is fun

There are so many cool activities this school has to offer. One thing in particular is group FIT classes! You do not even need to sign up or pay to go!  There are so many different classes offered ranging from cycling to Zumba to yoga at almost any time of the day.  These classes are so fun and the teachers are always so welcoming.  They are first come, first serve though so make sure to come early.  Check them out here: https://in.nau.edu/campusrecreation/group-fitness/.

If an exercise class isn’t your thing, head for the pool, workout room at the rec center, or grab a friend and go for a walk or play Frisbee. The key is to SCHEDULE IT IN to your calendar. Make it a priority by making a date with yourself or a friend to be active.

  1. Make an appointment to see a UCAN health coach

Ok, you probably saw this one coming. I mean, it is a UCAN blog so…yah, we’re gonna suggest it. But really, we all have a hard time making health behaviors a priority, and we are here to say that ITS OK.  Things come up and all of a sudden, you’ve stayed up too late, and got only 2 hours of sleep. Do not make yourself feel bad about that. If you feel like you could use some help, schedule a free appointment with a health coach.

We are here to help you figure out a place to start or help you get out of a rut. Because you do not need to feel alone! You can do whatever you set your mind to! Visit our website to set up an appointment with our trusty health coaches: https://in.nau.edu/ucan/. If you’re not totally sure what a health coach even does, check out this blog.

The most important thing is to do what is best for you! We all are student just trying to make it through the day. Getting prepared is the best thing you can do for the semester. Good luck, and as always, the coaches down at the UCAN office are here to help you! Let’s do this, Lumberjacks!

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