How to take care of yourself as a student

Much new‼️

For many, student life is a mix of new opportunities and new challenges. It is completely normal to feel stress, worries, poor sleep, or periods of low motivation. Perhaps you are brooding more than usual, or feeling a bit alone.The most important thing to know is: it is completely normal – and there are things you can do that can help.

Focus on energy first – who are you? 🔆

It can be wise to get to know yourself, to find out if the daily life you have set up actually suits you and your personality. It sounds trivial, but it is quite important so as not to deplete your energy.Ask yourself some overarching questions, and evaluate them against what a typical day looks like:

• How is my energy affected by my social life – do I get recharged by being with others, and do I have a good balance between time with others and alone time?
• How do I take care of my body in everyday life – do I get enough sleep, regular breaks, physical activity, and time for actual relaxation (not just screen time)?
• How are my basic habits – do I eat regularly and enough, do I get fresh air, and do I give myself the opportunity to be outdoors or in nature if I enjoy it?
• How are my relationships – do I have at least one good and safe relationship around me?

Perhaps there are some areas that require a little adjustment.

Sleep – where many fail 💤

Sleep is often the first thing to go in a busy everyday life. Irregular circadian rhythm and a lot of screen time make it harder to recover.A few simple steps can make a big difference:

• try to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time
• give your mind some peace before bedtime
• ventilate, invest in dark roller blinds, and maybe read a (boring) book before bedtime
• don't think you have to "catch up" on everything in one night
• a short nap (called "lur" in norwegian) for 20-40 minutes early in the day can do wonders (set an alarm!)

When thoughts take up a lot of space 🧠

It's completely normal to worry about studies, finances, or the future. But if your thoughts go in the same loop all the time, it can become exhausting.

• Set aside a fixed time for a dedicated "worry-quarter" every day. If worries come up outside of this time, write them down and say to yourself: Thank you, my head, for reminding me of this, but I will think about this later.
• During the worry-quarter: let all worries come. Can you feel where the worries are located in your body? Eventually, ask yourself: Can I do something about this now? If the answer is no, it might actually be okay to let it rest for a bit.

Low motivation? That's normal 🌧️

You're not going to be motivated all the time. No one is.Accept that some days are tougher than others.One thing that's smart to remember is that it's often action that creates motivation – not the other way around. When it feels heavy, it can help to do one small thing instead of waiting for surplus energy.

• start a task
• work for 20–30 minutes
• check off something specific

But it's also perfectly fine to just have a bad day, and not do much that day.

Loneliness and relationships 🤝

Many students experience loneliness, especially at the beginning. Even in a big city like Oslo, it can take time to find your place. That doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong.Small things can make a big difference:

• say hello to someone in a lecture
• ask to study together
• join something, even if it feels a little unfamiliar
• check out SiO's event calendar for students – there you'll find a plethora of activities, events, and happenings you can join – all by yourself.

Most other people are also looking for belonging.

Don't compare all the time 💭

It's easy to think that "everyone else has it all together". But you only see a small part of other people's lives.Instead, try to:

• focus on your own progress
• accept that things take time
• speak a little more kindly to yourself

Self-esteem isn't about achieving everything – but about enduring what is difficult too.

Small habits that provide more energy 🍽️

Everyday life as a student can quickly become uneven. It's often the small things that help the most:

• eat regularly (you'll quickly notice the difference)
• take breaks with some movement
• get out occasionally
• exercise 1-2 times a week

Play yourself good – make it a little easier to feel good.Taking care of yourself isn't something extra you do if you have time – it's the very foundation for making your study period work.

Structure = less stress 🧩

A lot of stress is about not having an overview. You don't need a perfect plan, but it helps to:

• know what you're going to do tomorrow and in the next few days
• have a plan for what you're going to study/read/cram next time you sit down
• break down large tasks
• have a simple weekly plan

It gives a sense of control – and more peace of mind.

When should you take it seriously? ⚠️

Some periods are heavier than others. But if over time you:

• are constantly tired
• worry a lot
• sleep poorly
• withdraw from others

Then it might be a good idea to talk to someone. There are good services available, and it's completely normal to need support.

Finally ❤️

Student life is not something you just have to get through – it's a part of your life. You should have enough energy, feel a sense of accomplishment, and feel good along the way.Take care of yourself ❤️