How to Be a Happier Student: 7 Top Tips

Happy students are more likely to excel academically, have better relationships, and enjoy a more fulfilling college experience. However, with the pressures of academic workload, extracurricular activities, and personal responsibilities, it's easy for students to become overwhelmed and stressed, leading to a decline in their overall happiness. That's why it's important to develop habits and strategies that can help boost your mood and wellbeing.

In this blog post, we'll explore 7 top tips for how to be a happier student, from managing your time effectively to practising self-care. By implementing these tips, you can take control of your happiness and make the most of your college years.

Table of Contents

1. Take care of yourself
2. Avoid stress
3. Keep positive
4. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good
5. Be kind to others
6. Create a good environment to study
7. Work hard
8. To sum up

1.   Take care of yourself

Taking care of yourself is essential for your wellbeing and success as a student. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of university life, but neglecting your own needs can have serious consequences.

To be the best student you can be, make sure to prioritise your physical and mental health. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and taking breaks when needed. By taking care of yourself, you'll have the energy and focus to tackle your coursework and enjoy your time at university.

• Allow yourself to have breaks when studying: Taking breaks during long study sessions can help you recharge your brain and prevent burnout. Consider taking a 5-10 minute break every hour or so to rest your eyes, stretch your legs, or grab a snack.
• Exercise to keep in shape: Regular exercise not only benefits your physical health but also your mental wellbeing. It can help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase energy levels. Consider incorporating exercise into your daily routine, such as by taking part in a yoga class or going for a jog.
• Celebrate successes: It's important to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may be. Celebrating successes can help boost your confidence and motivation. Consider treating yourself to a special meal or activity when you achieve a goal.
• Treat yourself once in a while: Taking time to do things you enjoy can help reduce stress and improve your overall mood. Consider treating yourself to a favourite food, activity, or purchase every once in a while.
• Take action when you’re not happy: If you're feeling unhappy or overwhelmed, it's important to take action and seek support. Talking to a family member, friend, student counsellor or accessing our free kooth student platform, can help you identify the root cause of your unhappiness and develop a plan to address it. (Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous service for all aparto students. Our students are able to use this online space to listen to mood boosting playlists, set personal goals, read articles, share experiences and gain support from their community and qualified professionals)

2.   Avoid stress

Stress can be a major obstacle to academic success and personal wellbeing, and can be an inevitable part of college life, but there are steps you can take to minimise its impact.

• Plan a budget and stick to it: Financial stress can be a significant source of anxiety for college students. Creating a budget and sticking to it can help you better manage your expenses and reduce financial stress. Consider using a budgeting app or spreadsheet to track your spending and make adjustments as needed. For more tips, do not miss our Student Budget Planner.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to brush up for exams: Procrastination can lead to increased stress and decreased performance on exams. To avoid this, consider creating a study schedule and breaking up your study sessions into manageable chunks. Start reviewing material well in advance of exams to give yourself time to fully understand and retain the information.

Read: Packing for University: Ultimate Guide

3.   Keep positive

College life can be stressful and challenging, but it's essential to focus on the good things that university life has to offer. Whether it's participating in extracurricular activities, meeting new people, or exploring new subjects, there are always opportunities to find joy and excitement.

By choosing to keep a positive outlook, students can boost their resilience and better cope with difficult situations that may arise. It's essential to remember that setbacks are temporary, and there are always brighter days ahead.

• Accept that not every day is perfect: It's important to acknowledge that not every day will go as planned, and that's okay. By accepting that there will be ups and downs, you can approach challenges with a more positive attitude and avoid getting discouraged.
• Focus on what you like about university: Instead of dwelling on the negatives of college life, focus on the things you enjoy. This can be anything from a favorite class to a campus event. By actively seeking out the positive aspects of your college experience, you can cultivate a more optimistic mindset.
• Practice gratitude: Taking time to appreciate the good things in your life can help you maintain a positive outlook, even during difficult times. Consider keeping a gratitude journal, where you write down things you're thankful for each day.
• Smile whenever you get a chance: Research has shown that smiling can have a positive impact on your mood and wellbeing, even if you don't necessarily feel happy. By making an effort to smile more often, you can improve your overall mood and outlook on life.

4.   Surround yourself with people who make you feel good

Having a strong support system is crucial for a happy and successful college experience. Surrounding yourself with people who make you feel good can help you navigate the challenges of college life and maintain a positive mindset.

• Make friends: College is a great opportunity to meet new people and make lasting friendships. Consider joining clubs or organisations that align with your interests or attending campus events to connect with like-minded individuals. Making friends is important for one’s wellbeing as it can help you feel more connected to your college community and provide a valuable source of support.
• Don’t mind negative people too much: Unfortunately, not everyone you meet in college will have a positive impact on your life. It's important to recognise when someone is having a negative impact on your wellbeing and set boundaries accordingly. While it's not always possible to avoid negative people entirely, try to limit your exposure to them and focus on cultivating relationships with those who bring positivity and joy to your life.

5.   Be kind to others

Being kind to others can not only make them happy, but also bring a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction to ourselves as well. Small acts of kindness can go a long way in building positive relationships and creating a supportive and compassionate environment.

It's also worth noting that being kind to others can improve our own mental health and wellbeing by increasing our levels of empathy and creating a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives.

• Do something nice for someone: Small acts of kindness can go a long way in making someone's day. Consider holding the door open for someone, offering to carry a heavy load, or giving a compliment. These simple gestures can make a big impact on someone's mood and wellbeing.
• Volunteer if you can: Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and make a positive impact. Consider volunteering at a local organisation or participating in a service event on campus. Volunteering not only helps those in need, but it can also provide a sense of purpose and fulfilment in your own life.

Read: Student Budget Planner: How to Save Money

6.   Create a good environment to study

Creating a good study environment can help you stay motivated and focused on your academic goals. It's important to have a comfortable and organised space that allows you to concentrate on your studies without distractions.

• Decorate your room to enjoy spending time in it: Adding personal touches to your study space can help make it feel more comfortable and inviting. Consider adding some decor, such as photos or posters, or investing in some comfortable seating to make your study space more enjoyable.
• Study in a quiet environment: Distractions can be a major barrier to productivity when studying. Try to find a quiet space to study, whether it's a library, a study room, or a quiet corner of your dorm. If you're studying at home, consider using noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs to block out any background noise.
• Listen to upbeat music when you are feeling low or unproductive: Music can be a great tool for boosting motivation and focus. Consider creating a study playlist of upbeat or instrumental music to help you get into the zone when you're feeling low or unproductive. Just be sure to choose music that won't be too distracting.

7.   Work hard

Working hard is essential for academic success, but it's not always easy to stay motivated. Remember to use feedback as a way to improve your skills and knowledge, and don't be afraid to challenge yourself with new and difficult tasks.

By working hard and staying motivated, you can achieve your academic goals and set yourself up for success in the future.

• Set goals: Setting achievable goals can help you stay motivated and focused on your studies. Be sure to find the right balance of challenge so that your goals are achievable, yet still challenging enough to keep you engaged.
• Ask teachers for different assignments if you get bored: If you're finding a particular subject or assignment boring, don't be afraid to ask your teachers for different assignments that might better align with your interests. This can help keep you engaged and motivated.
• Don’t procrastinate: Procrastination can be a major barrier to productivity. Try to break down assignments into manageable chunks and give yourself plenty of time to complete them. This can help reduce stress and make it easier to stay on track.
• Use feedback to get better: Receiving feedback from teachers and peers can help you identify areas where you need to improve and make adjustments to your study habits. Don't be afraid to ask for feedback and be open to constructive criticism.

To sum up

In conclusion, being a happier student is achievable with some simple changes to your daily routine and mindset. Taking care of yourself, avoiding stress, staying positive, surrounding yourself with good people, being kind to others, creating a good study environment, and working hard are all important aspects of a fulfilling student life.

Remember to set realistic goals, celebrate successes, and ask for help when needed. With these top tips, you can prioritise your wellbeing and pave the way for a successful academic journey. Don't forget to enjoy the process and have fun along the way!

In addition to implementing these 7 top tips, choosing the right accommodation can also contribute to your happiness as a student. aparto offers a range of student accommodation options in convenient locations, with modern amenities and supportive staff. Staying in an aparto residence can provide a comfortable and safe environment to study, socialise and relax, which are all crucial aspects of being a happy student. Learn more about aparto's student accommodations and find the perfect place to call home during your academic journey.

Visit our student accommodations now!