Adjusting to college life often means cooking and managing your diet alone for the first time. Oftentimes, college students overindulge, eating foods that are cheap and unhealthy as well as drinking large quantities of alcohol. Poor eating habits often result in a reduction in stamina, energy and an increase in overall weight. Body image issues often make a student depressed and powerless while in school. Creating a strict diet for yourself will help you keep focused and lose weight, improving your self-esteem and increasing your motivation levels to help get you out of a rut.
A lack of regular exercise during college can result in low levels of stamina as well as an increase in body weight. In addition to depression based around your overall fitness levels, being out of shape can often exclude you from social collegiate activities such as sports and dances. Creating a strict exercise routine that you follow on a weekly basis can help provide structure and balance to your life. Not only will you be burning calories, but you will be feeling productive and focused, helping you to get out of your college slump. Perform the routine alone or get friends involved to make it a more social activity.
Improving your study habits in college can help you get out of a college slump by improving your grades and academic prowess. Get organized by writing down in a planner or on a calendar all of your upcoming tests and papers. Plan out a structured study timetable so you can adequately prepare for each class. Taking your teachers and TAs up on office hours will give you a chance to ask questions you do not have time to while in class. Focusing and giving yourself a sense of purpose while in class may help you get out of your slump.
If your college slump is resulting in severe depression or anxiety, it may be prudent to visit a student counselor or school therapist to discuss your problems with. A counselor may help you make a change, whether it is a switch in majors or limiting your coursework for a semester, that can help take some pressure off you while in school. Setting regular appointments with your counselor will allow you to express your anxieties and stresses before they become overwhelming.