University Diary by Rashi

College can be very demanding and can lead to stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. I, for one, find that sometimes in college we put more on our plate than we can manage. With balancing a social life, good grades, being to class on time, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and clubs, college can be stressful. It is important, however, to remember that you’re all in this together and to never ever panic. Ever heard of a midlife crisis? Only instead, I would have a midday crisis every day of the week and I’m just 18. I was new and terrible at managing my time. I learned the hard way though. Doesn't have to be the same for everyone. It is important to keep track of your assignments and deadlines. Doing six assignments with 4 cups of coffee in one night may seem like a good idea on Friday, but when it’s finally Sunday night, you’ll be too tired, the caffeine wouldn't kick in and you’ll probably end up forgetting to set your alarm. Not a great start to the week. Try to brea...

One of the most important things that can shape your college experience is your roommate. Provided you choose to have one, which I strongly suggest because it can get lonely all by yourself so far away but not everyone is lucky enough to have a compatible roommate. It’s almost like you’re a married couple, you eat together, decide on the décor of the room together, argue about who created the mess and spend a lot of time together. And no one wants to go through the pain of a divorce which equals the roommate contract which is just as tedious to alter. Hence, it is very important to have a good roommate. While the random roommate thing may seem like a good idea, it ends up as a disaster a lot of times. I chose someone I talked to over social media and we decided to room together. And I’m glad to say that we are the best roommates, we may not be the best of friends but we are amazing roommates. She’s not as clean but I love cleaning and she provides food and a good ear, we cou...

With everything going on in college, it can be difficult to take time out for the most important person, YOU. It seems that no matter what time of the day, there is always something going on and we never get time to ourselves. Additionally, if you live on-campus you’re surrounded by people 24x7 and it can get tiring. Hence, it’s okay to take a break from it all once in a while. While going out and interacting and being social is all fun and games, time for and with oneself is of utmost importance. It doesn’t have to be too long, it can simply include taking a long shower, reading a book by yourself in the library or just going for a stroll alone. I find the Marsh Chapel at my college so peaceful and calming; I go there whenever I feel like I need to clear my head and would rather not talk to anyone. Self-care is not limited to just spending time with oneself obviously. It also includes taking care of yourself, the stuff you put in your body and the rest you get. It include...

Being safe should be your top priority in college. It should be above all and mean more than anything; whether it be partying or an urgent gathering late at night. It’s okay to do these things but it’s never a good idea to do them alone. No matter how urgent, when you’re out, always have someone by your side as soon as it starts to get dark. Make use of the buddy system which is basically when two or more people agree to take responsibility for each other’s welfare or safety in this case. One of the most dangerous things you can do is be unaware of your surroundings, whether it be during the day or at night. Walking around with earphones plugged in or your phone glued to the screen is basically inviting trouble. It is potentially dangerous in every way. With the way some people drive too, it is important to keep your eyes and ears open to your surroundings. Another important tip is to know your way around campus. In case you become aware of some suspicious activity, you alwa...

College is all fun and games, that is, until your pants don’t fit anymore. In a country like United States, where fast food sells like water, it is no surprise that   Freshman 15 is a real thing. For those of you wondering,   Freshman 15  refers to the 15 pounds most freshmen are expected to gain in their first semester. I too thought that I wouldn’t fall victim to this, never realised how wrong I would be. While it can be hard to manage classes, a social life and health, all at once; it isn’t impossible. There are many ways one can avoid  Freshman 15 and maybe even lose weight. The biggest factor that not only hinders our metabolism but also our overall performance, is not getting enough sleep. I know it can be a real struggle to get 8 hours of sleep every night but it’s really worth it. If not 8, at least 7 hours of sleep 5 times a week should be your bare minimum. It would also help concentrate better in class and avoid that early morning grumpine...

There aren’t many places one can call home. College, however, is a place you can. It’s not easy, however, for some people to fit in which is not uncommon. Some people are more inhibited than others and may take time to find their group of friends. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; many people love spending time just by themselves too. However, if you want tips in making friends easily, look no further. Many people try to be overtly social or pretend to be someone they’re not, in order to attract people. They don’t understand that being yourself is key to making friends you’ll truly vibe with You want to attract people like you and being yourself in the utmost sense, is the best way to. Genuineness is the most attractive quality one can possess. Most freshmen have to room on-campus. Use this to your advantage. The place would be bursting with people eager to make friends and just interact. One tip is to leave your room door open. This way you would seem welcoming and people ...

Studying abroad can be a drastic change from the comforts of home. It can seem like a big scary world and sometimes it can be very challenging. Spending money wisely is one of the many challenges one faces at university. While we all wish we were trust fund babies with unlimited funds, it unfortunately doesn’t work that way. Not only does our tuition fee cost a fortune, our parents have to provide us with an additional allowance as well and staying within budget can be a real challenge. One of the best ways to avoid overspending is to stay away from distractions. America runs on marketing and would always entice you into buying things you would never use, ever. So put away that micro-luggage scooter. Nobody uses it, trust me. Another great way to save money is to track your money. Apps like “Cleo” help you keep track of your spending and allow you to manage your budget wisely. It is very user-friendly and very handy. I recommend this app to anyone who has trouble managi...