Prioritizing Your Wellbeing as a Marauder

Prioritizing your wellbeing while in school can sometimes be hard. With a new class schedule, new roommates, and way more assignments and exams than ever before, taking a moment to take care of yourself might feel impossible.

Keep reading for some tips on how you can prioritize your wellbeing- even amidst a hectic schedule!

• Stay organized: I know the semester can get away from you really quickly! That’s why it’s important to stay organized right out of the gates. Get yourself an agenda (or use a calendar on your device) and input your class schedule, assignments, tests, family commitments, work commitments, etc. etc. etc. Seeing it all in one place will help to coordinate your time, and will help you to plan ahead!

• Stay connected: This suggestion is layered: stay connected to your friends and family outside of your McMaster life, stay connected to your friends and chosen family at Mac, and stay connected to your professors/TAs. Communicate with your network how you are feeling (and whether or not you need extensions/accommodations/etc.), and know that you are never alone. We all need a support network to help us once and a while!

• Get active: Move your body in whatever ways feel good to you! Run, walk, hike, join an intramural team, do online workouts, hit the gym, do some yoga… the possibilities are endless on campus (especially with the vast green space and conservation areas surrounding campus!). Moving your body will help with concentration while studying, and will help boost your mood. So, try to move your body every day!
  • Check out this blog post to find some local areas to get active outside

• Keep tuned-in to your needs: Take mental note of how you are feeling each day. Ensure that you take breaks from studying, nourish your body with healthy foods, drink lots of water, and stay on top of any medical needs you have. It’s important to stay in tuned with your needs to avoid any mental health or physical health crises. Remember: the Student Wellness Centre is here to help with medical, counselling, and health promotion programs and services!

• Be honest with yourself: Not feeling like going out tonight? Say no! Not feeling like joining in on the pick-up basketball game? Say no! Not feeling like being social this weekend? Stay home! Sometimes it can be tough to say no, but honouring how you are feeling will help you in the long-run. Remember: we all need time to rest and recharge, and there will always be more opportunities to be social in the future!

• Access Student Affairs resources: McMaster Student Affairs resources are here to help support you in your journey at Mac. Consider any or all of the following:
  • Student Wellness Centre: call 905-525-9140, ext.27700 to book an appointment with a counsellor or doctor.
  • Athletics and Recreation
  • Black Student Success Centre
  • Housing and Conference Services
  • Indigenous Student Services
  • International Student Services
  • Office of the Registrar
  • Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
  • Student Accessibility Services
  • Student Success Centre
  • Student Support and Case Management

Visit the https://studentaffairs.mcmaster.ca/students/student-services/ webpage for information about each of the above Student Affairs departments!