Starting to study usually involves moving out from home, leaving your comfort zone and having the chance to become more independent. That is very exciting, but be aware that with independence comes responsibility. To make the process a little easier and help you adapt quickly, here are 5 things you should make your habit.

1. Staying in Touch

Once you’ve left your usual environment, you will be confronted with plenty of new things to explore and people to meet. Things that were part of your everyday life before, such as seeing your family and friends, are now further away. Staying in touch takes up time and effort - to some people it may come naturally. For others it can be hard, though, to get into the habit of calling home frequently. Setting a reminder or dedicating a specific day of the week to catching up with what happened at home could be one way to go. However, not being in touch as much is normal and also a very important part of growing up and becoming independent. You don’t have to feel guilty if it doesn’t work out as much as you planned on - that’s part of the process!

2. Preparing Food

Living on your own means that you are responsible for getting food. Especially during stressful phases such as the exam phase at the end of the semester, nutrition tends to slide to the bottom of the priority list and you might end up living off of snacks or pasta with pesto. In case that does happen to you, don’t worry, we’ve all been there at some point. However, to prevent yourself from being soaked into the stress-hole, try to make it a habit to prepare food. You could do that together with friends and even save a little money while having a good time! Using your freezer is great too, as well as incorporating smoothie-making into your daily routine. 

3. Be ahead of Deadlines

You have probably had to mind deadlines even before going to university. However, the amount of deadlines you will have to keep in mind will probably increase - as well as the amount of things you’ll have to take care of household-wise. Taking care of deadlines and simultaneously managing your life can get tricky. It is therefore highly recommended to use a calendar, or set reminders that will remind you not only of the deadline but also of the single steps to take to meet the deadline. Monday: Start working on xyz, Wednesday: continue, Friday: Finish up, Mondy: Hand in. Or something like that. Choose and try out whatever works best for you until you’ve found your rhythm. However, you can already start to get more used to using a (digital) calendar and to be aware of what is to come.

4. Get involved

Certainly, studying is not only about educating yourself. A huge part of it is about socializing, making friends, getting life experiences and making your own decisions. In short: It’s about getting involved! There are plenty of things you can do. Maybe you already have a hobby you’d like to pursue as you move, or you’d like to start something new. In Leeuwarden, you can go sailing, or choose from a variety of sports that are offered by Leeuwarden student city. Apart from that, joining the study association NCF is also a great way to integrate. There are 13 different committees you can choose from! As you explore the city you will most likely come across even more options. I can only encourage you to go out and get involved!

5. Don’t stress

Last, but not least, making mindfulness or yoga exercises part of your daily habits will help you to stay at ease - even in stressful situations. Meditation, a special morning ritual, or daily breathing exercises are just a few ideas. Again, do what works for you! “Don’t stress” is surely easier said than done. However, being aware of it is half the battle already. It takes time, but it will be worth it. So, why not start getting used to calming down even before you take off to uni?

I hope that these habits can help you to make the best of your study experience. Use what you find useful and spread the word if you have more tips and tricks on how to stay calm and study.