The Young Witch Provides Advice to the Students

We've come to everyone's favorite time of year (unless you are a parent) where it is time for college students return back to school. I know this because a good portion of my friends who are still in college sent me snapchats today of them heading to classes and my family dropped my little sister off at her new campus apartment yesterday.

Now is a good time to mention, I have only been the singular child of the house once, for three weeks, when my sister went to the Missouri Scholar's Academy (she's a pretty smart kid). I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, especially now that I'm not technically a child, but the weird adult who lives in my parents attic and comes out for cats and food.

I do have a lot of experience though being a college student, and while I have never been a college student during a pandemic, I might be able to offer a few smile tidbits of advice. So, here we go.

NUMBER ONE: Drink your water

I spent a good amount of time my freshman year of college being reminded by my roommates that one cannot live on Mountain Dew alone, and shockingly enough they are correct. Make sure you have water with you, especially if you live in hot areas and you have to walk all around campus (Missouri heat is slowly killing me). Even if it's not hot, you still need it. It's important to stay hydrated so you feel ready and up to snuff. It's a great way to feel energized and if you've got a reusable water bottle, that's even better.

NUMBER TWO: Make some time to eat your meals

I cannot count the times I forgot to eat because I was always rushing around or just forgot. That's not a good thing. It's, dare I say it, unhealthy. You need fuel to keep running and even you have to take it on the go, that's better than nothing. Some ways to remind yourself to eat are to set timers on your phone, or set times with people you live with (because this is still a pandemic) to sit and eat together. If you can't do this, carry some snack in your bag, like fruit or just easy to carry granola bars. It doesn't need to be fancy, but you need to eat.

NUMBER THREE: Take a break

You are going to get caught up in school work before you know it. You know it, I know it, we all know it. You need to set some time for you to relax, breathe and just take a break. It doesn't have to be a long time. Just 15-30 minutes will do. Pull out a book, watch a YouTube video or the latest thing you've been watching on Netflix, cross stitch your latest masterpiece or even take a nap. Take the time you need and just sit.

NUMBER FOUR: Plan your life at least a little bit

It took me 23 years to finally learn how to use a planner (Thanks, Rachel Hollis). During that time, I forgot things out the whazoo relying on my phones calendar and constantly having to go back and look at the syllabus and lying to myself that I could do things the night before. Every time. Every single time. Don't do that. Be like my friend Kate, who keeps her planner amazing and organized and wonderful. Even if you don't have a planner or can't get one, keep a white board. Those last forever and you can keep track of everything like that. Even just getting a simple 99 cent notebook to dedicate to time keeping with help you. But you do need to plane

NUMBER FIVE: Call your parental unit. They miss you and you probably miss them

Your parental unit, be it mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, pibbling, guardian, or whoever fills that role in your life misses you and would like a call at some point in the next little while. And I know for a fact that you probably miss them too. It's okay to be homesick and to want to be back with them. It's normal. It's allowed. And all you need to do to fix that at least for a bit is just give them a call. Even a text or email would do. Just know that they miss you, love you and know that you are going to do great at college this year.

And that's my advice. Take it, leave it, do you what you want! It's just nice to have sometimes! See you all soon!