It’s back to school time!

For some, this is the worst part of the year. For others, this is the most exciting time of the year. Making the transition from summer can be hard in college, especially for younger students not used to the college grind. New foods, new people/environments, new sleep schedules, and new living arrangements can all add stress onto your body and mind. It is important to look after yourself, this will set you up for success academically.

However you feel about school, make the most out of this school year with these 7 back to college tips!

1. Take care of your body- Making sure to keep your body (and mind) healthy should be your number one priority no matter where you are in life. Getting sick, even early in the semester, can really knock you off course and lead to poor academic performance. To combat this, make sure to continue taking all prescribed medications along with probiotics, multivitamins, and other supplements. Immune support is also critical around so many new people and bacteria, taking supplements like elderberry, vitamin c, zinc, and immune focused mushrooms can all boost your immunity and keep you healthy!
2. Prioritize your mental health- College is stressful. There is no way to completely avoid mental and physical stress in a collegiate environment. A small amount of stress can be motivational, but too much can eventually effect grades and overall mental well being. Staying healthy mentally is equally as important as staying physically healthy. Therapy, spending time with friends and family, and taking mental health breaks are all great ways to relax. If this is not working, taking supplements like ashwagandha, stress-x, anxiocalm, zinc, and b-complexes can all potentially help relieve stress and anxiety.
3. Create a comfortable distraction free study space- Creating or finding a distraction free workspace is extra challenging in college. Roommates make living spaces loud and even the library can be too much to truly focus on your work. Most of the time, finding a space completely alone is nearly impossible, so focus aides are necessary. Various supplements like ginkgo biloba, various mushrooms, or l-theanine can be helpful when studying in communal spaces.
4. Take your sleep seriously- Getting quality sleep in college can be difficult if it is not made a priority, especially as we move back to college from the summer. Between shared living spaces to studying into all hours of the night, sleep will not be very consistent. Sleep is one of the most important ways to keep your body and mind working at its highest level. This is why it is important to create a bedtime routine away from electronics to decompress your body and mind. If this is not enough to remedy a messed up sleep schedule, consider using sleep aides like melatonin, chamomile, GABA, or magnesium to help you sleep.
5. Make a routine- Create a morning and a night routine and stick to them! Even coming home after studying all night, having routines helps your mind and body know what time it is. This consistency will help you feel more balanced and put together, even if you aren’t right now! This will also help you remember to check in with yourself to ensure you are feeling your best. Routines may seem like a lot of work, but it takes just 30 days to create a habit, and then they will be second nature.
6. Write lists and keep a calendar- Brains can be overwhelmed and it is so important not to forget assignments in college as you oftentimes cannot turn them in late. Lists and calendars with due dates, tests, and scheduled plans can help you stay organized and not forget important tasks. Other ways to help your memory include taking ginkgo biloba, b-12, phosphatidyl serine complexes, and omega-3s to support brain health and function.
7. Stay involved and energetic- Participating in class and other clubs or organizations around campus is a great way to meet new people and learn new things. Keeping up, even with a solid sleep schedule, can be exhausting. Energy levels can make or break academic performances, especially on tests. Taking supplements like magnesium, B-12, or ginseng can all help boost long term energy levels. Things like yerbamate and matcha are often great alternatives to coffee for a little extra caffeine boost for fast energy replacement.

*These claims have not been evaluated by the FDA. Please check with a physician before taking any supplements or aides. Do not go against your doctor’s prescriptions.