Study Advice

It is a combination of several things that make your student years enjoyable. It is about finding the right balance between study and leisure, between activity and relaxation.

Creating Good Routines

All the new impressions, opportunities and expectations can be a positive part of student life. However, it can sometimes be difficult to find a good balance. You may feel fragmented and have too many things going on at once. It can feel like your brain is working overtime and it's hard to switch off. It can help to think of your studies as a job, with a start and end time. This usually makes it easier to understand your needs for good food, exercise and sleep. As a result, you may find it easier to relax and enjoy your free time.

Plan Your Study Days

The best way to avoid procrastination is to make a study plan. Write down your planned studies, personal study time, time for socialising, physical activity and more. Think in terms of 'I should', 'I can' or 'I want'. It is natural to feel anxious about major projects. Instead, try to break the project down into shorter stages with clear milestones.

Get a good night's sleep

It is easier to cope with stress during the day if you sleep well at night. Sleep is crucial for memory retention, so it is especially important to sleep well when you are studying and learning new things. Trying to do study more by sleeping less is not a good idea. An adult needs 6-8 hours of sleep a night. This is very individual. A quiet, dark and cool bedroom makes it easier to fall asleep.

Be Physically Active

Student life can mean a lot of sedentary time while you study. Exercising regularly will make you feel fitter, stronger and more energetic. Take a walk during the day, take the stairs instead of the lift, get into the habit of walking or cycling everywhere you go, get up occasionally if you spend a lot of time at your computer, get off the bus one stop earlier and walk the last bit. Simple but effective advice.
Remember, the best exercise is the exercise you do!

Eat Well

What you eat has a huge impact on your health, energy and stamina. Poor eating habits can make you tired, unfocused and less well. Try to eat a diet that is varied in terms of carbohydrates, fat and protein, as well as water, vitamins and minerals. Eating regularly, 3 main meals and 2-3 snacks is a simple and good tips.

To get started, make sure you stock up on good, cheap ingredients. If you have a good basic supply at home, you won't have to go shopping as often and you can quickly put together a lunch or dinner. Take a few hours one day a week to plan, shop and prepare for the week. It will save you a lot of time and money.

Take Time to Relax

Regular relaxation practice is a very good investment in yourself. Walking around with tense muscles can lead to fatigue, irritation and poor performance. Muscles that remain tense for a long time can cause everything from headaches to back pain.

Here's a quick full-body relaxation session

  • Lie comfortably, take a few deep breaths through your nose and let your stomach sink.
  • Hold your breath and tense your whole body at the same time, from your toes to your face, lifting your head, legs and arms a few millimeters off the ground, but no higher.
  • Hold the tension and continue to hold your breath for ten to fifteen seconds, or longer if it feels comfortable. Every part of your body should be tensed.
  • Release your breath in one explosive exhalation through your mouth and let your body fall back down towards the mat. Lie still for a while and let your breathing return to normal, feeling your body relax.

Repeat a few times.

New Friends

As a student, you may miss your family and old friends who you enjoy spending time with. But it can be positive and exciting to meet new people. Having friends is important for us to feel safe and happy. Socialising can also give you new energy. So take the opportunity to make some new friends to enjoy student life with.

Student and Party Culture

As a student, you may be invited to many parties where alcohol is a big part of the evening. We are all different when it comes to how much we can drink. We simply have different tolerances for alcohol. Make sure you can control your drinking. Dare to say no, it is you who decides how the party will be, not your friends or the alcohol. Do not give in to peer pressure! Try non-alcoholic options such as alcohol-free beer, wine and cocktails. Remember that in Sweden it is illegal to use or possess drugs. This also applies to cannabis.

Contact

Daniel Andersson, student coach, profilbild

Daniel Andersson, student coach

Student Health Service

This page was last updated 2024-09-25