Suitcases are all unpacked. Room decorations all hung up. Snazzy new stationary at the ready. University has officially started. With the rush of deadlines, excessive partying and sleepless nights, this academic year will fly by. However, it’s important to remember to let yourself have fun. A big thing about university life is experiencing the unexperienced, taking yourself out of your comfort zone and trying something new.
You are guiding your own path at university, allowing yourself to take control of your own future. Some may find this daunting, while others may love the feeling of freedom. The most important thing at this stage of our lives is to accept and embrace change; whether it be through our own doing or something completely uncontrolled.
Change can be an extremely positive thing during your time at university, bringing things into your life that you never knew you needed. It can be rewarding too. Changing your routine can put you in a lighter mood, which can increase your levels of Serotonin, the ‘happy hormone’, to give you a new perspective on life. You’ll be ready to experience anything and everything university life throws at you.
An unknown author once said, “A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there,” suggesting that you start thriving only once you’ve stepped out of the familiar and into the unknown.
It is so easy to be dragged down and feel unmotivated when you are left to your own devices; yet, to reach this motivation you have to be ambitious and challenge yourself. Drive yourself forward; pick something that appeals to you and go for it.
Don’t let anything stop you, as when you do start to doubt yourself, you’ll slowly start to crawl back into your comfort zone, which is the last place you want to be if you’re wanting to achieve something new and different.
It’s important to do things that make you happy, and if you feel happy staying where you feel comfortable, that is perfectly fine. But if, like me, you want a bit of change this year then try something new. Experience things you have never experienced and put yourself out there.
Whether it’s something small, like studying in a different format to ease the growing boredom from revision; or something bigger like joining a society on campus. It may be something you’ve always wanted to try, but just haven’t had the confidence to do. Anything is possible, once you just embrace the change.
Try to remember, that anything that improves your mental health or makes you feel happier, is 1000% worth pursuing. You should never restrict yourself at university, especially when there is so much on offer. Look for the things that make you happiest – take that leap of faith and try it. There is no harm in changing your routine particularly when it’s for the better.
Proactivity breeds positivity, remember that. •