When I first started college, I was expecting change to be big and dramatic. Turns out, it’s the little habits—those small daily decisions—that can make the huge difference in your every day life.
Here are five things I started doing that genuinely improved my college life:
Making my bed every morning
This one seems so basic, but it is an amazing habit to get into and can set the tone for a great day. When life around you feels disorganized and chaotic, that small action you did in the morning may bring you some peace of mind.
I mean, you going to college for the first time, juggling classes, maybe working a job, and asking yourself questions like what information should a lease contain?
Another reason to make your bed is to keep you out of it. I have such a strong tendency after my classes to want to crawl into my open covers, but sometimes the fact that it looks all nice and put-together stops me. And even if it doesn’t, you get the satisfying feeling of pulling back your covers at the end of a long day.
Talking to Professors
Office hours were intimidating at first, but they’ve helped me academically and made me feel more confident about asking questions and seeking support. Additionally, talk about all of the networking experience you are going to get.
Your professors are payed to teach and talk to use, use that tuition money and make the most out of your experience.
Diet Changes
I am in no way certified to make any diet recommendations, but I had trouble getting into a food routine in college. I knew about the freshman-15, but no matter what I did to avoid it, It came for me.
You are entering a new environment, changes are normal, don’t be to hard on yourself. But my one big tip is to try and check your school nutrition pages. I was eating a fairly plain smoothie bowl at school and didn’t realize that it had close to 1000 calories.
Also, though I don’t personally go out and party, remember that those drinks you have can add up. Take care of your body and it will take care of you back.
Study Outside of Your room
Staying in your room is the easiest and most comfortable option, but trust me, you will get so much more once your go to a new space. Just before writing this I was sitting in my bed procrastinating productivity, until I left to go sit in the dorm lobby.
It can be easy to spend a lot of your time in that familiar space but push yourself to leave it and go spend time in new spaces.
Bringing a Water Bottle Everywhere
Sounds super basic, but staying hydrated makes a huge difference. I used to get more headaches during class and feel groggy by the afternoon. I figured I was just tired from school or not sleeping enough.
Once I made drinking more water a daily habit, I noticed real changes: better focus, fewer headaches, more energy, even clearer skin.
I started bringing a cute reusable water bottle with me everywhere—class, gym, study sessions, hanging out with friends. It became part of my routine, like grabbing my phone.
College can feel overwhelming sometimes, but it doesn’t always take huge changes to make a difference. It’s the little things—like making your bed, drinking more water, or studying in a new spot—that help you feel more in control and just boost your overall happiness. These habits didn’t transform my life overnight, but they’ve added up in ways that genuinely improved my daily routine, mindset, and overall well-being.