College is often described as “the best years of your life,” but let’s be real — that’s not the full picture. Some days feel like a blur of lectures, deadlines, awkward social dynamics, and late-night snacks you didn’t really want.
Taking care of yourself in the middle of all that? Easier said than done. But also: incredibly important.
This isn’t a list of perfection tips. It’s a guide to small, doable self-care practices that help you feel human again — even when your calendar is packed and your brain is tired.
Whether you’re just starting out or halfway through your degree, these ideas are here to support you without adding pressure.
Quick Heads-Up: What Self-Care Really Means in College
Before we dive into the how-to’s, let’s clear something up.
Self-care in college is not about 10-step skincare routines or staying on top of every trend. It’s not about being a productivity machine or always being “on.”
It’s about staying grounded.
It’s about noticing when you need a break.
It’s about building habits that support you instead of drain you.
College is a transition — and transition is messy. If you feel overwhelmed, you’re not doing it wrong. That’s part of it. What matters is having tools to carry you through it.
Let’s explore a few.
1️⃣ Make Your Space Feel Like a Soft Landing
Your room doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect. But it should feel like a place where your nervous system can exhale.
Add things that feel cozy — a lamp instead of overhead lighting, a playlist that calms you, a throw blanket that makes you feel held. Tuck affirmations or reminders on your wall that bring you back to yourself when the day gets loud.
A small corner that feels like you can make the rest of campus chaos feel more manageable.
This is your landing pad. Make it gentle, even if it’s tiny.
2️⃣ Care For Your Body Without the All-or-Nothing Mentality
Self-care isn’t about green juices or being in your gym era every week. It’s about noticing what your body is asking for — and honoring it.
Maybe that looks like:
- Stretching while you study
- Keeping a water bottle nearby
- Eating something that’s not just caffeine
- Taking a real shower, not a rinse-and-run
- Sleeping before 2 a.m. (sometimes)
The point isn’t to perfect your habits. It’s to check in and say: Hey, body. What do you need today?
Then actually listen.
3️⃣ Take Time Away From Your Screens (Yes, Even That Group Chat)
You are not a machine. And your brain was not built for back-to-back scrolls.
Try stepping away from your phone or laptop for an hour — not as a punishment, but as a reset.
Take a slow walk. Doodle in your notebook. People-watch in the quad. Call someone you miss. Read for fun, not for class.
Give your brain some breathing room. It will thank you later — usually in the form of less anxiety and more presence.
4️⃣ Keep People Around Who Actually Make You Feel Good
Your social life in college can change quickly. One semester you’re inseparable, the next, you’re strangers. It happens.
What matters isn’t the size of your circle — it’s the quality.
Notice who makes you feel seen, safe, and supported. That’s the energy to keep close. It doesn’t mean you need dozens of deep friendships — just a few people who get you.
Friendship is also self-care. Nurture it.
5️⃣ Sleep Like You Mean It
This might be the most boring tip here, but also the most important.
Your brain needs rest. Your emotions need rest. Your memory, mood, skin, immune system — all of it benefits when you sleep more consistently.
No shame if you’re a night owl or struggling. But try building wind-down rituals:
- No caffeine after 5 p.m.
- Screen dimmer on
- Lo-fi playlist or white noise
- A few journal lines or a brain dump before bed
Protecting your sleep is protecting your whole college experience.
6️⃣ Practice Saying “No” Without Explaining Yourself
One of the most radical forms of self-care in college? Boundaries.
You don’t need to go to every party. You don’t need to say yes to group projects that overwork you. You don’t need to explain why you’re staying in on a Friday.
“No” is a full sentence.
It’s also a powerful act of protection.
Honor your energy. Use your no’s wisely — they create space for better yeses.
7️⃣ Have a Relationship With Yourself Outside of Academics
It’s easy to tie your identity to your grades, your major, or how “on top of things” you are. But you’re more than that.
Make time for things that light you up without a deadline attached. Journaling. Cooking. Drawing. Calling your grandmother. Rearranging your desk. Learning a weird random skill for no reason.
You don’t need to monetize your hobbies. Let some things exist just because.
Being a person is an accomplishment. Celebrate that, too.
8️⃣ Choose What Nourishes, Not Just What Distracts
College stress is real — and when it piles up, you might reach for anything to escape: endless scrolling, another drink, an all-nighter that turns into emotional spiraling.
It’s okay to cope. You’re human.
But try asking: What would actually make me feel better long-term?
Maybe it’s stepping outside. Maybe it’s deleting one app. Maybe it’s calling your mom or taking a nap or going to therapy.
Nourishment isn’t flashy, but it lasts longer than the distraction.
9️⃣ Build a Mental Health Routine That Feels Like You
Mental care is not one-size-fits-all.
You don’t have to meditate for an hour to “qualify” as doing inner work.
Maybe your version looks like:
- Talking to someone you trust
- Making playlists for different moods
- Going to the campus therapist (even once)
- Writing 3 things you’re grateful for
- Scheduling a mental health day ahead of time
The point isn’t to “fix” yourself. It’s to stay in touch with what’s real for you — and give it room to breathe.
🔟 Tips to Help You Stay Grounded When It All Feels Like Too Much
Let’s be honest: college can get a lot. Even with good habits, some days feel heavy. On those days, try this:
- Break the day into chunks. You don’t need to survive the week, just the next hour.
- Eat something nourishing — even a snack.
- Sit somewhere new. A change of environment can shift your brain.
- Journal one sentence: “Right now, I feel…”
- Let yourself cry, laugh, nap, or text a meme.
- Ask for help. From a friend, RA, counselor, or TA.
You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re just human — learning how to care for yourself one choice at a time.
🧡 Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
Here’s the truth no one says enough:
You can be a mess and still be doing okay.
You can be unsure and still moving forward.
College isn’t about getting everything right — it’s about learning how to show up for yourself through the hard stuff.
Self-care doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be yours.
Start where you are. Breathe. Try again tomorrow.
You’re doing better than you think.