How to Deal with Homesickness

Personally, moving 2,177 miles from Seattle to Atlanta was a BIG change. The first couple of weeks of college were definitely difficult for me. Arriving at college not knowing anybody, and knowing that many of my friends were going to the same university was very difficult. I missed my family and I felt like I was missing out on college with my friends back home.  However, I was able to over come my homesickness and enjoy my time in college with a few simple things.


1. Writing Letters- Call me old fashioned, but receiving a letter in the mail is way more exciting than receiving an email. I wrote to some of my best friends, and in return, they sent me a letter. This was an awesome way for me to get a simple pick me up if I was having a bad week.
2. Looking at the Big Picture- In retrospect, the little time i've had here at college has flown by and I'm sure the next couple of weeks leading up to break will fly by as well. With that said, look at the big picture because before you know it break will be a week away and you'll be able to see your family.
3. Distract Yourself- Whether it be submerging yourself in your school work, or planning small events with your friends, one of the best things to do can be to distract yourself! By not dwelling on the fact that you miss home, you'll spend more time being productive and enjoying yourself than sulking around.
4. PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES!- Before I left for college, I made sure that I packed pictures of my friends and family to give me motivation and make my dorm feel more like home.

Falling into a perpetual stage of sulking can be very detrimental to your mental health. In fact, there becomes a point where a person can be so depressed they create a hormone imbalance in their body which leads to more health issues.

Just remember, there's always winter break to look forward to! Before you know it you'll be reunited with you friends and family.

-Ulri

Don't Like Your Roommate? No Problem

One of the most illuminating and perhaps life-changing parts of the college experience is living with a roommate. For many people, this is the first time they have to cooperate and compromise with another, non-related person in close quarters. Oftentimes, unfortunately, this other person can be rude, uncaring, and on the whole a bad roommate. Here are some tips so you can salvage this relationship and work to better it.

1. Communication is key! Many people don’t realize how far talking out your problems can go with another person. Oftentimes, with the trials and tribulations of everyday life, a person can be oblivious to any harm they might be doing to another. This could open their eyes and change any of the habits you find irritating or detrimental to your living arrangement.

2. That being said…communication is a two-way street. Many people are so wrapped up in the pitfalls of their roommate they fail to look inward and realize they could be annoying their roommate as well, and this only creates a cycle. Any habits you have their irk your roommate, try your best to cut them out, and I promise you will see a happier, more amiable roommate in return.

3. Hopefully this mutual openness will solve most of if not all the problems you are experiencing. If not, there are plethora’s of people simply within your college dorm that can help create compromise. SA’s, RA’s, and the like are all available to act as unbiased mediators, and sometimes this impartial perspective can serve to clarify and help resolve the issues at hand. 

click on the photo for more tips

-Humbert

Class Registration Tips and Tricks

It’s that time of year — registration. It’s a harrowing process that usually results in an unhealthy fear of blue squares. Here’s some advice from one student to another:

1. Have a backup plan ready. Actually, have multiple backup plans. If you’re counting on a select few classes being open when you enroll, you might be unpleasantly surprised if one or more of them fills up before you can get in.
2. Choose a variety of classes. Thanks to GERs, you can learn about a wide range of things and still be progressing on your path to a degree. Taking only math and science classes, for example, could make for a boring or stressful semester.
3. Add/Drop/Swap is possibly the best thing to happen since the internet itself was created. Check Opus at strange times to snag those green circles. With some work and a lot of luck, you can usually get a pretty good schedule, if not a perfect one.
4. Talk to people and get advice, whether it’s your faculty advisor or your roommate. It’s good to know about what’s going on.

-Micah

Tips on What to Bring to College

Preparing for college was both interesting and arduous at the same time.  The endeavor for the supplies and necessities essential for one’s lifestyle can become somewhat of a hassle.  This is especially true if these commodities were always given to a person by their parents.  As a college student, the student should bring everything that will make them feel comfortable and prepared once they are in college.  Being prepared develops a punctual mindset, which fuels confidence and readiness.  Packing for college in the correct manner develops these key aspects.  First, students should have major necessities.  Here are some of the major necessities every college student should need.

1. bed sheets
2. covers
3. clothes
4. bathing material (shower gel, rags, towels, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)

The student should include everything that they could not physically live without and that supports hygiene. Next, they should be sure to bring things that they feel that they want to bring that would not take up too much space.  This is because dorm rooms aren’t terribly big enough to hold everything.  In addition, the student should make sure to only buy things that they can afford.  Spending an indefinite amount of money is futile.  There will be more important things to buy such as books, food, and laundry necessities.  With these tips in mind, a student will find their endeavor less stressful.  This makes things easier on the mind and allows the student to prepare for the transition of college which is adjusting.

-Tre

Don't Know What to Major In? No Problem!

Many students come into college thinking that they know what they want to be after they graduate college, they end up taking classes for a certain major because they've always had a certain idea ingrained in their head. Other students come into college not having any idea what they want to do and thats ok! Why should someone, at the age of 18, have to decide what they want to be for the rest of their life? The answer: they shouldn't! If you're trying to figure out what to major in, stop worrying and start exploring! Your first two years in college are the prime time to take random classes that you know nothing about. Stressing out about what to major in won't help you, it can actually hurt you. If you feel so pressured to go in a certain direction academically and professionally, chances are you will end up unhappy with the job you have. Stress has many negative effects on the body, but one study shows that it can actually shrink the brain and lower our ability to cope. Life will figure itself out, just do what you love and you'll find your path.

-Ulri

Welcome !

Welcome to the best health blog on the net! This blog is run by Humbert, Tre, Micah, and myself, Ulri. Together, we will be posting tips and tricks so you can learn how to maintain and improve your mental health. One's mental health is so important to the overall well being of the human body, and we want to be here for you guys on your journey to achieve life balance. Stay tuned for some exciting content on how to improve your own lifestyle!