It’s “Back to School Day” at Salt Lake Community College beginning Aug. 21. Students and staff are zipping around SLCC campuses, and each student having his or her own way of making their first week at SLCC count.
According to a recent informal survey, SLCC students are getting organized, eating healthy and taking advantage of the lighter work load during the first week of school.
“My first week usually consists of getting focused and organized for everything to come,” says SLCC student Kari Whitton.
College students not only have to meet the demands of school, but they also have families and/or full times as well as social lives.
Robbie Williford, a writer for Hack College, says a day planner or online calendar is essential for college students to get organized.
He also recommends six to seven hours of sleep each night, a clean study environment and free time.
“I try to eat healthy,” says SLCC student Jammin Gieber. “I also drink a lot of Mountain Dew.”
Carbs and caffeine are a college student’s best friends, but according to more recent studies, they shouldn’t be.
A team of scientists at the University of Pittsburgh found Omega-3 fatty acids, typically found in fish, improve the memories of young minds.
According to the study, “there was an improvement in working memory performance after six months.” For more information on this study, visit plosone.org.
Caffeine is the most widely consumed drug in the world; studies suggest it is not only physically and mentally addicting, but also causes anxiety and insomnia.
Cessation of caffeine intake has its own consequences.
According to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, withdrawal symptoms include drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and decreased motivation.
It’s a catch-22, but students can still include Omega-3 foods or supplements in their diet.
The first week of college consists of syllabus overviews and preliminary textbook reading. There is not much homework…yet.
“I relax before the real homework load hits,” says Hunter Simper, another student at SLCC.
Not everyone agrees, though. Some students prefer to cram in the beginning and relax more during finals.
While stress is a normal part of college life, relaxation can be, too. Having a social life is an important part of college.
SLCC has a variety of clubs to join, and if need be, any student can start a new club. The point is to get out there and meet other students.
“I do what I can to get ahead before it gets too crazy,” says SLCC student Blake Molis.
Whether this is your first semester at SLCC or you are a returning student, welcome back to school, and happy studies.
