As a college student, it is very important to ensure you are taking care of yourself. College can be stressful, and sometimes you just need a break. This is known as self care.
Every individual handles self care differently. What works for you may not work for everyone else. And it’s important to understand what self care is to you, in effort to focus and succeed, not only in academics, but also in a career.
Junior English major Grace Prown stated, “Self care means putting yourself first. Taking care of your soul, and making sure you’re okay.” When Prown is home, she likes to take a bath for her self care. Prown said she also likes to take time to clean her environment. She said she tries to take self care time at least once every week so that she is ready for classes and activities. Prown also noted that the events the wellness center offers, known as Live Well KSC programs, are very beneficial to students. She said they are especially beneficial to first-year students because they allow students to get the feel of campus and what is offered. The Wellness Center can frequently be found tabling in the Student Center, as well as offering events to help students with their wellbeing. Fresh check day, Reading day, Paws-to-Play, to name a few that have been held in the past.
Junior computer science major Christopher “CJ” Trudel said self care is important to staying mentally healthy. “Self care is taking care of yourself. Not over doing it, making sure you’re in a good mental state,” said Trudel. For self care, Trudel said he likes to spend time with his friends. He also plays video games while trying to remain calm. Trudel said he is able to schedule self care time three to four days a week. With several events being held across campus and student organizations holding meetings, there is always something for students to be involved in on campus on their days off and during time outside of class.
Junior English major Lilly Hetzel defines self care as “eating, drinking, sleeping, relaxing, watching Netflix and taking a breather.” Hetzel said that the weekends are a perfect opportunity to take this time. Hetzel also said the fliers in the bathrooms of the residence halls left by the Wellness Center have been very helpful. The fliers list several workshops being offered that are helpful to students, and they offer important self care tips. Hetzel also said she believes that having additional days off from classes, also known as Hootie Days, would be beneficial if offered more often.
“Make sure you take care of yourself. Eat, sleep, drink, repeat,” said Hetzel.
To make an appointment with the Wellness Center or to learn more about resources offered, call 603-358-2200 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information on upcoming events on campus, students can refer to Owl Net at https://keene.presence.io/events.
