Building a healthy routine as a student

Protecting your mental welling at university

University is an incredible experience, but for the first time, many students may be faced with so much unstructured free time, especially those studying degrees with fewer contact hours. It can be easy to become disorganised, letting work build up to the point where it feels almost unmanageable. Creating a healthy routine can help university life stay fun and foster learning.

Routine

Setting a routine is key to keeping on top of the university workload. It is useful to think of university as a full-time job. Regardless of your lecture schedule, try to get yourself to campus at the same time every day and leave at the same time. Something like 9-5 or 10-6 works well. There are plenty of spaces on all our campuses to revise and get work done. See our article on the best study spots in the university for some ideas.

Also, give yourself breaks throughout the day. How often you take breaks really depends on how you work as an individual. Some students need regular breaks to keep focus, often using popular study methods such as the Pomodoro technique to manage breaks. This does not work for all students, with many finding that regular breaks take them out of a very productive, deep-focus zone. For students like this, a single, longer lunch break may be more effective, allowing them to play to their natural study style while still allowing ample time to rest and recharge.

Downtime

When you have finished studying for the day, it is important to switch off. This is important both to keep your motivation up throughout the working week and to give yourself something to look forward to at the end of the day, especially if you have found your university work particularly draining that day. It also allows for a calm transition to sleep from the worries of the day, as working late into the night can be damaging to your sleep quality. There are plenty of ways to unwind and relax, and it really depends on what you enjoy, and finding the mix of socialising and solo time that works for you.

Socialising

Socialising is a great way to spend your free time. Although you may have spent time with friends in an academic setting, such as revising together, it is important to build connections outside of academic pressure. Some people can feel drained by social activity; for others, it can feel energising and relaxing. Regardless, spending time and building connections is key to mental well-being. You can choose how much time you spend around others to fit with your style of relaxation. For some, this means seeing friends every evening; for others, only once or twice a week. Informal time with people you live with can also be a great way to feel part of a community, being in a low-pressure environment whilst still feeling the benefits of socialising. It is also a good idea to keep in contact with friends and family outside of Southampton. This can be done easily through text message or FaceTime.

Societies

Societies are a great way to meet new people, socialise, and unwind after a long day. There really is something for everyone. A lot of society activities will run in the evenings or on Wednesday afternoons, meaning they can fit in well with your university schedule.

Time alone

It is also important to take time to yourself to relax. Some great ideas for things to get up to in your evenings include music, reading, baking, watching TV, and going for walks. Pick something you enjoy to allow you to unwind after a day of revision and study. Mindfulness is a great way to relax, too, and can be easily accessible through free apps such as Insight Timer or Medito. Taking just ten minutes out of your day for mindful practice can really improve your mental well-being as well as your sleep.

Exercise

It is so important to stay active. Try to do a little bit of exercise every day. There are so many ways this can fit into your day: sports societies, going to the gym, walking around The Common during your lunch break, going for a run, or even walking to and from campus instead of taking the bus. Integrating exercise into your day makes it far easier and more enjoyable. For example, meeting a friend for a walk during a study break turns exercising into a social activity. Likewise, going to the gym with a friend or joining a sports society adds a social aspect to sports as a means of motivation.

Sleep

Sticking to a regular routine is also incredibly helpful for your sleep. Try to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day. Setting up a before-bed routine is also an excellent way to prepare for sleep. Most phones have built-in functions that silence distracting notifications at a specific time before bed, helping you begin to shut down for the day. Try, for example, always having herbal tea or spending an hour reading for leisure before bed. An evening shower can also help you relax for bed, as it lowers your core body temperature, setting you up for sleep.