Going to university is, for most of us, the first time we really live away from our parents. At a certain point it sets in that it's all on us—and us alone— to feed/clothe/clean ourselves. Being able to get your shit together while staying sane and within budget can be tough, but I've got you covered.
Disclaimer: I am by no means an expert, but I have learned a few tricks by now. I eat a vegetable occasionally and keep my room fairly clean while living 300 kilometres away from my mom.
1) Live By the One-Minute Rule
The one-minute rule is an absolute game changer. The idea is to immediately do any tasks that come up throughout your day if they'll take sixty seconds or less to complete. For example, when you walk in the door after class, hang up your jacket instead of throwing it on your desk chair. Wash your coffee mug instead of letting your dishes pile up in the sink. The one-minute rule is the easiest and most effort-free way to eliminate the amount of time you spend doing chores.
2) Pack Yourself Healthy Snacks
This is an amazing way to save money and eat more healthily. Packing a couple of snacks to munch on throughout your busiest days is a great way to keep your energy up and stop you from splurging on a cookie on campus. Personally, I'm a big fan of pre-sliced apples (less noisy in the library). They're also super cheap and are great with almond butter for added protein.
3) Drink More Water
Drinking more water is literally the easiest way to survive cold and flu season, get more energy and achieve clearer skin, AKA the easiest way to get your shit together. Adults are supposed to drink three litres of the stuff a day, so try drinking one over the course of each meal to keep your body hydrated and running smoothly. If plain water is too boring for you, try adding fresh cucumber or lemon slices to change things up a bit!
#SpoonTip: Try drinking water without a straw to help your body and the environment!
4) Plan Out Your Day
A key part of having your shit together is to remember the stuff you need to get done. As students, we constantly have a million things on our plate and it's pretty easy to let it all pile up. Personally, I'm a big fan of the built-in Apple Calendar, but good old pen and paper work better for some. Scheduling deadlines/appointments/chill time ensures that nothing is left behind, and no paper is left until the night before it's due.
#SpoonTip: Try planning your day the night before to get used to using a calendar/daily planner!
5) Self-Care, Self-Care, Self-Care
Being a university student is hard and it is so extremely important to take some time away from everything to relax. Self-care and destressing mean different things to different people, and it takes some time to figure out what works best for you. While self-care for some is face masks and drinking tea and doing yoga, it is also getting enough sleep, cleaning up your environment a bit, and remembering to talk to a loved one or a professional if you need it.
Being a student and a young adult experiencing the world independently can be scary, and it takes some time to figure it all out, but it's important to remember that you can do it!