Story By: Tryphena Wardlaw
College students are often told to choose between a social life, good grades, and sleep. But what about just plain personal time? Time to just take care of you? Finding personal time is not easy to do and may be bumped down on the priority list.
Meagan Funt, a sophomore a television broadcast journalism major, has created a YouTube Channel about the in’s and out’s of college. Funt currently has upwards of 3,700 subscribers and she posts vlogs of her college life. Her posts discuss healthy eating tips for college, cute college outfits, and much much more.
“College is a synonym for multi-tasking. You learn so much about time management, balance, and focus all while having little to no sleep. But that’s the best part about it! Everyone is pushing through together!” said Funt.
The following tips will help make college life easier and maximize your multi-tasking abilities.
SKIN CARE
If makeup is not covering that uncomfortably noticeable and painful pimple, grab an Advil Liqui-Gel capsule. Start with a clean face then cut the top off of a pill and squeeze out the gel onto a Q-Tip. Apply to your zit with a Q-tip to keep as sanitary as possible. The anti-inflammatory agents in the over-the-counter drug will help to bring down the swelling of the blemish within hours. Leave the gel on as long as possible, overnight is best, and then wash it off with warm water. After that, splash your face with cold water to close your pores. This prevents bacteria from getting stuck in them. If you do not have Advil Liqui-Gels handy, any other form of Ibuprofen or anti-inflammatory will do a similar job. Crush up the pill to create a little powder. Then add a drop or two of warm water to the powder to make a paste. Then apply it to the blemish and follow the same steps as before. This little trick will come in handy many a time.
HAIR CARE
Don’t have a spare hour to curl your hair? Most people don’t… This method can help to cut your curling time in half; and to stop you from just get bored and your arms getting tired. Start by brushing your hair and putting it in a mid-high ponytail. Using your preheated curling iron, grab your hair in ½ inch sections of your ponytail and wrap around the curling iron. To create a wavy wand-like curl, open the clamp, wrap your hair around the barrel of the iron and close the clamp on top.
By using an iron with a clamp, each curl will be less frizzy than if using a wand. Repeat this step until you have curled your entire ponytail. Once you have finished curling, takeout the ponytail and touch up any stray pieces. Voila! Fabulous hair in half the time.
EATING RIGHT
Meet your new best friend: the Crock-Pot®. In college it can be really hard to find time to eat well, especially on a budget. According to Young Women’s Health, “To get the most out of your meals, eat a balance of lean protein, high fiber carbohydrates, and healthy fats such as oils.”
One amazing benefit of a slow-cooker is coming home to a warm, delicious meal that doesn’t take much preparation time. One of the easiest ways to satisfy these food groups as well as your stomach is a healthy chicken bowl. All you need are two chicken breasts, a can of black beans, diced up tomatoes, and avocado. Put the first three ingredients into the cooker on high for 3-4 hours. In that time you will be able to get homework done or go to the gym. When you get home make a bowl and slice up half an avocado on top. Your meal cooks while you get things done; multi-tasking at it’s finest.
And at the end of the meal you have leftovers to reheat and only one pot to clean up. A crock-pot is one of the best investments to make as a college student.
WORKING OUT
Working out in college can be difficult due to crazy schedules. Finding ways to integrate a little bit of fitness into your life in the simplest of ways can make you fit.
Krista Goldsmith, a junior public relations and advertising major, blogs her healthy college lifestyle.
“You’re just as important as your GPA! Take an hour break from homework and studying for yourself. The endorphins will put you in a better mood and you’ll be more productive,” said Goldsmith. “Or, even better yet, dedicate the hour you waste scrolling through social media procrastinating your homework to something that will actually benefit you: exercise!”
Here are some little ways to integrate fitness into everyday life:
1. Find yourself going crazy writing a ten-page paper? Get up turn on some good tunes and have a dance party with your roommates. Not only is it good for your sanity but it also gets your blood pumping.
2. Brushing your teeth should take two minutes according to dentists, so why not use those two minutes to get in some squats or calf-raises?
3. If you have a big test coming up, make some flashcards on Quizlet and get the app on your iPhone. Go to the gym. Get on a bike and do your flashcards a couple times through.
AND FINALLY:
College is about finding ways to multi-task and make time for the things that matter. It is also a time full of adventures so make time to see more than just the inside of a textbook.
“My advice for college students is to maintain a positive attitude, never get too hard on yourself, and learn from everything you do. College is the real beginning to this incredible life…. buckle up,” said Funt.
