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December 21st is the first day of winter! Winter brings about so many changes to college and campus living. Fuzzy sweaters, holiday seasons, and gathering around a cozy fire are often staples of this time of year. For college students, however, winter can represent a decrease in mood alongside the decrease in temperature. Luckily, the winter season brings about plenty of “cool” opportunities for campus fun!

Enjoy a Snow Day!

Many college campuses will begin to be covered with blankets of snow throughout this season. This is a perfect opportunity to bundle up and head outside with friends. It is common to see snowmen and other snow figures throughout campus. Don’t be afraid to join in sledding or skiing if that is on campus! If the snow is good enough for it, a snowball fight is a fantastic way for friends and unfamiliar faces to bond.

Have a Winter Party!

Whether your college does or does not receive snow, a winter party is a wonderful way to bring friends together! If applicable, a holiday party full of presents, music, and other holiday traditions can easily put any scrooge into the spirit of the season. For just a winter themed party, engaging in a potluck style dinner is almost always a must! This can be through a “charcuterie night” (where friends each bring a board of delicious goods) or something as simple as having friends all bring a fun cookie to snack on! This night can end with something simple like a movie or something more intense like an indoor snowball fight (with paper or fake snowballs)!

Try Something New Indoors!

During the winter, many take time to wind down and relax. Maybe give that new game a chance. Or take up a hobby like yoga, crochet, or reading! Especially if a student is on their winter break, this is the perfect time to curl up under a cozy blanket and take some time for a new experience.

Get That Hot Chocolate!

When one thinks of winter, oftentimes the first thought that comes to mind is delicious hot chocolate. Luckily, it is accessible to nearly all college age students! Many dorms either have a microwave in each room or at least one somewhere in the dorm’s kitchen area. Spice things up with some whipped cream, marshmallows, or other fun toppings! Oftentimes, students can also find hot chocolate around campus! Whether it be seasonal at the campus café, or a local off-campus coffee shop!

Winter is an amazing opportunity for students to come together, and I hope that everyone will have “snow” much fun!

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During midterm and finals seasons, every student feels at least a little bit of stress due to looming projects, essays, and exams. However, stress is never helpful when it comes to performing your best on important assessments. Everyone has their own ways of dealing with stress, but we could all use some additional inspiration on how to keep calm during these stressful times. Here are the best ways to reduce stress while coping with exam season, and how to still make time for yourself even when you’re super busy.

Plan Ahead

I know, I know, pretty unhelpful for my number one tip for keeping calm during exam season to be something that requires forethought. But seriously, the best way to help yourself out for exam season is to stay on top of things from the second classes start. I like to map out all my assignments and exams in a big spreadsheet with all the due dates, so I know exactly what work I have to do each week and what weeks are going to need a little extra focus. This way, I don’t suddenly realize I have a ton of work to do the same week I have an exam, so I’m able to instead plan ahead and get assignments done ahead of when they’re due.

Plan Out Breaks

When you’re studying, it can be really easy to either forget to take breaks and get burnt out or take too many breaks, leading to unproductivity. By planning out specific times you’re going to take breaks and sticking to them, you’re able to get work done while still managing your time and stress to maximize productivity and minimize burnout. Additionally, when you schedule breaks, make sure you stick to the amount of time you allotted for yourself, as it’s all too easy to get sucked into the black hole of social media and suddenly realize your 15-minute break turned into an hour!

Make Time for Friends and Family

Even though your mind might be wholly focused on schoolwork, it’s important to maintain interpersonal connections even when you’re stressed. Friends and family can be a great shoulder to lean on when you need help or someone to talk to, so keep in contact with them regularly even when you’re overwhelmed with studying or assignments. This not only assures them that you’re doing ok during a stressful time, but also allows you to recognize that school isn’t everything, and that people will still love you regardless of your performance in a class.

Physical Activity

Exercise is proven to release endorphins, which are often referred to as “feel-good chemicals”. Endorphins are also proven to reduce stress, so getting active during midterms and finals season can be a great way to get outside and have fun while also improving your mood and stress levels. Something as simple as going for a walk with friends, or a hike, can have incredible effects on your mood and productivity, and also allows you to physically get away from your work for a little while.

Following these steps should aid you during those stressful seasons in the semester. You can succeed and you do have tools to help you. Though everyone manages stress differently, I have found that across the board these tips help the majority of people, myself including, during stressful times.

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December is a beautiful time of year when many of us celebrate occasions with gift giving. Not everyone has fun with buying gifts for others or has trouble picking them out. To help ease the stress of picking gifts, consider these tips.

Not Too Much Green

When it comes to gifting, it is important to decide how much you are budgeting. The budget sets the parameters for your spending without breaking the bank. An example of this would be a maximum of $20 on each gift or setting a $100 spending limit. A tip for spending is to utilize cash. When you use credit/debit cards, it can be hard to control your spending. With cash, what you see is what you have. Be on the lookout for advertisements and coupons during this season of giving as well. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are both popular times of the year for shopping, but throughout the holiday season, many stores run sales and discounts. Lastly, if you do decide to use your card for shopping purchases look for cash back bonuses or discounts to aid you in the costs.

Make Your List and Check It Twice

After you have set a budget on your gifting, it is time to create a list of those gift recipients. Gifting should always come from the heart and should never feel like an obligation. It is common to buy gifts for family and friends. However, other people to consider could be coworkers, teachers, or even your pet…they deserve treats too! Around the holidays pay special attention to what those around you speak about. If you heard your dad talking about a new gadget or your mom eyeing a specific book, take note. The best gifts are the most thoughtful ones. Paying attention to the wants of those around you gives you a great advantage in gift giving. If you’re unsure of the specific color or size of an item, be broadly inquisitive. When inquiring about gifts, try to make it seem as though you are buying it for yourself or a friend and need an opinion on which item to choose. Consider asking for a friend or family member’s assistance if you don’t want to make it obvious who the gift is intended for.

Wrap It Up

Now that you have all that you need to find a great gift, it's time to wrap it up, pun intended! Although gifts are thoughtful alone, using gift wrapping techniques help elevate them to another level. Gift wrapping also creates an element of surprise, before the recipient can open the gift, the first thing they see is the wrapping. If you're not the best at gift wrapping, fear not as there are plenty of alternatives. Bows, gift bags, ribbons, and tissue paper are all ways to decorate your gift. As it relates to gift bags, encourage the recipient to reuse them as it will be the gift that keeps on giving.

Gift giving can be stressful but using these tips are sure to help mitigate gift giving misery. Remember to find your reason for the season and to spread that joy with others. Sometimes that alone is the best gift you give.

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The holidays are fast approaching and sometimes that can be stressful. Sure, there are the lights, cold weather, and the festive atmosphere, but the money you spend around the holidays - horror inducing. This can be especially stressful when you’re strapped for cash but want to do something nice for your friends and family. Here are a few tips for gift giving on a college budget.

Tip #1: Create A Budget

This seems fairly basic, but it is often overlooked. Assess your personal financial situation and see how much money, if any, you are able to feasibly set aside for gifts this season. There are some important things to factor into your holiday budget. Travel costs is a big one: Are you going home for the holidays? Are you going on a trip? How are you getting there? Who’s paying for it? Are you paying for all of it, just part, or for multiple people? Other important factors to think about are dining out expenses, living costs, groceries, and anything else you normally spend money on each month.

Tip #2: Make A List of People

Make a list of people you want to give something to this holiday. Once you have a number you can compare that to your budget and decide if you can afford to buy each person something or if you need to think about baking or making something for some or all of the people. This is also an important time to decide if you’re going to spend the same amount on everyone or if you’re going to spend more on your mom than on your neighbor. It’s ok to spend different amounts on people as long as you can afford to and that each gift is heartfelt. It’s often more about how much thought and time went into the gift than how much the gift costs that matters.

Tip #3: Picking Out Gifts

This is the fun part! Don’t look at picking out each gift as daunting. It should be fun and festive! Maybe you’re making everyone their favorite cookies or decorating each cookie specifically for them. Maybe you’re thinking about your practical friend and want to buy them something useful or your trendy friend that loves having the latest cool accessory. Whatever you’re doing or buying make sure it reminds you of the person and stays within your budget! Look for sales at stores you frequent and go on days that you know an item you want to get will be on sale. Look for coupons online before you go, and take only the amount of money you can spend on that gift (+ a little extra for tax). These actions will help you stay within your budget and maybe even save you a few bucks along the way.

These are just some helpful ideas to help you get through gift giving this holiday season. College budgets can be especially tight and need a little extra thought. Really tap into the joy that gift giving brings your loved ones and you. Having a positive attitude will help you pick gifts and stick to your budget.

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Life is filled with ups and down, and as humans we might have up and down days. We need to take care of ourselves and not let the stressful moments make us angry, sad, or unable to focus. It is okay to have off days and bad days. It is okay to wake up sad, happy, or anxious.

Process all the feelings you have as they come up and remember to breathe through them all and let them go. Some days are just harder than others.

Here are some actions you can take when you are having a hard time:

1. Doing exercises such as yoga or running
2. Journaling
3. Taking a bath
4. Reading a book
5. Practicing controlled breathing
6. Meditating in the morning or before you sleep
7. Talking to someone you trust and sharing your feelings
8. Being out in nature
9. Changing your frame of mind - focus on the positive
10. Avoiding negative people
11. Doing a smiling exercise
12. Listening to music
13. Eating food that you like
14. Cleaning or organizing your space
15. Acknowledging your achievements and being grateful for what you have

Your mental health is as important as your physical health, and not something to feel embarrassed about making a priority. Talking about feelings, emotions, and the patterns our brains work in is an incredibly freeing thing to allow ourselves to do. It is okay to ask for help when you need it.

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College students are in a unique position to build healthy exercise habits during their collegiate years. We’ve all heard about the benefits of exercising: a healthier body, a better chance at living a longer life, and so many more benefits that one could list off. However, do we truly understand what exactly we are getting by exercising?

Increased Self-Esteem

For starters, by exercising one tends to feel much better about themselves overall. Many times, for me personally either going to the gym or to practice has just overall lifted my mood up. Exercising can be a form to release stress. At the same time, exercising allows you to have time to yourself and forget about any other responsibilities for a while.

Decreased Risk for Injury

Regular exercise can greatly decrease your chances of being injured. For example, when someone starts to go to the gym and lift weights, they are automatically strengthening their muscles and bone structures. This not only leads to better longevity in those muscles and bones, but also helps you build a strong foundation. Whether you are playing sports or even in partaking in everyday activities, you have a reduced chance of developing an injury of any kind. It is important to take care of your body by properly lifting so that you build in these fundamentals from the very beginning.

Develop Good Habits Now

College is a perfect time to work on developing the habit of getting regular exercise. Most students have access to a wide variety of gyms, weight rooms, classes, and recreational spaces through their schools. Building time for regular workouts into your everyday schedule will help solidify excellent exercise habits that you can carry with you through your whole life.

Maintaining your overall health is extremely important. If you start taking care of your body at a young age by exercising and having a routine that you stick by, you are setting yourself up to have a much better sense of longevity the older you get.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the ����app Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us –����to pitch your idea and get started! 

I love fall. It’s the best season for fashion, fragrance, and fun. With fall comes crisp mornings, stunning sunrises, and petrichor. Where I live in Washington State has it all: mountains, trees, and water, but it’s lacking in sunshine in the wintertime. I’m originally from the Caribbean, a place known for its hot sun and volatile weather. I’m used to sunshine, so you can imagine when I first came here and experienced winter for the first time, my mental state took a hit.

Later, I would realize that I suffer from what is known as seasonal affected disorder, more commonly known as seasonal depression. You might recognize the signs within yourself: a persistent low mood, losing interest in the things that usually bring you joy, and an unstated sadness. I believe everyone who lives in Washington and places that receive less sunlight in the fall and winter can experience some measure of this—it’s normal. Here are some tips and tricks to hijack this uncanny state so that your fall and winter may be a bit brighter.

Keep Up with Hobbies

During this time, indulge a little. Be a kid and spend time doing what usually brings you joy. Set some time aside to intentionally engage with your hobbies. Even though you might not feel like it, your mood will be lifted. I personally like thrifting and dancing. Do what makes you happy, whatever that is: embroidery, playing tennis with friends, hiking, paddleboarding, etc.

Address Lower Sun Exposure

Since sunlight helps produce vitamin D, less sun in the winter can lead to a deficiency in that area, which can affect your mood. Consider increasing your Vitamin D levels with supplements. (Always consult with your healthcare provider before taking supplements). I have found that another helpful way to address lower sunlight exposure during winter months is to use a light therapy lamp, and it does wonders. Just having a source of light that mimics the sun in my space brightens up my mood.

Nature Therapy

I would also recommend you spend time outdoors. Nature therapy works, at least for me. If you can’t do that then bring the outdoors to you. Do you like plants? I love them! My space is overflowing with them, and I feel happy every time I look at them. You’re also taking care of something and that’s motivating. Pets are especially great mood boosters. If plants are not your thing, then some picked flowers work equally as well.

Winter is not an easy time. The world is filled with depressing stories, but if you take a bit of time out of your day to do what you love and consider self-care, I promise you it won’t go to waste.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the ����app Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us –����to pitch your idea and get started! 

Camping is good for the soul. No matter how much you hate dirt, bugs, non-perishable food, or sleeping on the ground, camping for a few days out in nature can do wonders for your mental health and perspective on life.

In August of 2021, a group of 10 friends and I landed in the midst of towering mountains in St. Elias-Wrangell National Preserve. St. Elias-Wrangell is our largest national park, containing 13 million acres, and is found in south-central Alaska. So remote, we were flown in from Tok, Alaska on a 3-person plane in 4 separate rounds. The trip and transportation were organized through Xavier Expeditions, an initiative at Xavier University to introduce students to the beauty and peacefulness of nature. 

Camp Set Up

Dropped in the remote wilderness, surrounded by a mountain range, the only sounds we could hear were the rush of the river and the soft wind. We kept our food in bear barrels, large metal barrels that conceal the scent of food, in an effort to keep the bears from venturing into our camp. Any time we cooked, all the food was required to be eaten–otherwise the bears would be attracted to our camp. At night, we traipsed into the thick of the trees to sling the bags of food over the branches above, keeping them out of the bears’ reach. As you can tell, many precautions were necessary for our safety. 

The pressure to overachieve has definitely increased as social media has become more prominent for our generation. As students, it can sometimes feel like everyone is meeting their goals sooner than you and getting a ‘yes’ to everything they have tried for. However, it is incredibly important to remember that everyone’s path to success looks different and is on a different timeline.

You Only See the Best

As college students during this time, it can sometimes feel like everyone is getting their dream internship that turns into their dream job right off the bat. However, that’s just not the truth. This new sense of pressure to overachieve seems to be rooted from the fact that every achievement is posted on social media without the ‘no’s’ included. Seeing the highlights of somebody’s life without the lows can make it seem like everyone has it all together except you.

Trust the Process

This is why it is completely vital to try to not compare yourself to what your friends, coworkers, or roommates are doing and succeeding at in college. Trusting your own process and trying your best is all that you can do. A key thing to remember is that you are not on any kind of time crunch or perfect journey to success. There are going to be ups and downs no matter what and oftentimes doors close so that a better one can open for you.

My best advice to handle the pressure to overachieve is to reflect on your own accomplishments, work towards your own goals and understand that your road to success won’t always be smooth and straight. And no matter how it may appear online, no one else’s will be either.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the ����app Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us –����to pitch your idea and get started!