With the status of the economy today jobs are becoming harder and harder to find after graduation. College graduates with degrees in every field (Engineering, Biochemistry, Humanities, and Political Science just to name a few) are having a lot of trouble finding jobs after graduation. Many of these graduates end up working in administrative assistant jobs or interning because there aren't any other options. According to the CNN Money article Have Degree - and Pink Slip, "There are currently a record number of unemployed college graduates seeking work. So many, in fact, that they outnumber high school dropouts on the job hunt" (CNN Money.com).
If you want to get ahead of the game, then Graduating with Confidence is the perfect book for you. This book will show you how to make the most of your time outside of the classroom in order to define your career goals and take the extra initiative you will need to get that dream job.
An apple a day, keeps the doctors away!
Okay, that's an optimistic statement, but it does have some truth to it - take care of your health the right way (healthy eating) and you'll be seeing a lot less of the doctor.
Taking care of your health and well-being in college is one of the most important things you can do! Why?
- Studies have shown that students who take care of their well-being perform better academically (well...you're in college to get an education, so start with your well-being!)
- If you take care of your well-being you get to enjoy college life (no parties when you are constantly sick from being stressed out)
- If you are well, you can help others! You can be a role model (so take those 5 flights of stairs instead of the elevator)
There are many different areas of wellness that you need to take care of. Since it's still summertime, it's time to plan out how you can take care of your well-being. But before you start planning, let me de-mystify some common wellness thoughts.
- I don't need to sleep. If I pull an all-nighter and cram, I do better on the test.
- Actually cramming and/or pulling an all-nighter will lower your chances of doing well on a test. You need sleep to memorize and synthesize all of the material you're learning.
- I'm too busy, stressed, overwhelmed, depressed, angry (insert more excuses here) to exercise.
- Exercise is a great stress-buster. There's always time to exercise. If you don't think so, take your book to the gym and read it on the stationary bike.
- There aren't any healthy food options in the cafeterias.
- It's up to you (no more help from your parents) to select the healthiest options (grilled instead of fried, dressing on the side, high protein/fiber foods). If there's absolutely no options, complain to the cafeteria manager.
- Depression is a sign of weakness.
- Not addressing and taking care of depression is a sign weakness. Your college has psychological services available for you (usually free or reduced cost). Take advantage of them or refer a friend to them. Don't wait until your grades start slipping and you can't handle anything and you break down (it happens...more than you'd think)
- I don't have time to join organizations or hangout with friends, I need to study!
- It is incredibly important to spend time with friends and get involved in organizations. Your friends/colleagues will keep you sane, help you through the hard times, and help you relax and have fun. Don't forget about the networking benefits either!
As you can tell, there are many different dimensions of wellness - physical (eating/exercise), mental (stress, depression, test anxiety), social (friends), intellectual (academics), and more. Check out all 8 dimensions of wellness at UC San Diego's Wellness Center Website. Take the LiveWell Balance test to see how you score and where you can improve. Locate key resources on your campus (Student Health Center, Psychological Services, Fitness Facilities).
Then, plan wellness into your schedule! Add 30-60 minutes of exercise into your daily planner. Add adequate time to eat at the cafeteria (if you rush, you'll end up buying the cheap, fast food options). Schedule in time with friends and, of course, time for yourself.
Take care of your well-being now and you'll set life-long healthy habits!
