When you go to college, you need to be aware that it is a time in your life when you might potentially run into dangers or problems which you need to overcome. You should do whatever you can to look after yourself, and a big part of that is ensuring that you know what dangers lie ahead and what you need to look out for. In this article, we are going to take a look at exactly that, so that you can appreciate a little more just how you can take better care of yourself during your college years.

It’s no secret that a lot of people end up coming into contact with various substances during college. That doesn’t mean that it will necessarily happen to you, but at the very least most college students will find themselves put in the middle of a culture of drinking. Once that happens, you need to really make sure that you are acting sensibly so that you can avoid landing yourself in trouble with your health and with the law in the case of drugs. Be strong enough to make your own decisions, not the decisions that people around you might want to make. You will find that you can look after yourself much better that way.

Driving

For a lot of people, it is around college age that they also start driving a vehicle. Of course, driving is one of the most dangerous things you will ever do, and it is wise to think of a car as like the most powerful weapon you will ever hold. There are so many accidents with drunk drivers in college, and you really don’t want to become one of those statistics, so make sure that you avoid drink-driving and that you generally take good care while you are on the roads. This is one place where making sensible decisions really matters.

Accommodation Choice

Where you choose to live in college can actually make a big difference to your mental health, and even your physical health. A lot of people have to live on campus during at least their first year, but you can then have the freedom to choose your accommodation. There are a few things that you might think about when deciding where to live during college. There's the cheaper option of sharing a dorm, apartment, or house with other people. This can provide you with some company but could also come with the downside of roommate disputes. Some people might prefer a more exclusive student living situation. If you can live somewhere with your own bedroom and bathroom, and even where pets are allowed, you could find that you're a lot happier there.

If you do find that you're unhappy where you're living, there are usually routes you can take to resolve any issues. You might have an RA in your dorm or a housing representative or administrator who can help you. It also could be a good time for you to learn how to resolve disputes with other people by approaching roommate issues in a mature way.

Stress & Mental Health

College can be a stressful time. Exams, coursework, social life – trying to balance it all can often become a bit too much even for the most secure of people. So if you want to look after yourself better, you need to make sure that you are thinking about keeping your stress levels in check at all times. That is something that you can always do, and you will find that you are going to make a huge difference in that way. This means knowing when to take a break from studies, how to ensure that you are getting enough sleep, and perhaps taking up something like yoga or meditation to really get in touch with your body and mind. Do that, and you should find the stress stays away much more effectively.

With these things taken into account, you should find that you can look after yourself much more effectively during your college years. That will set you up for having good habits of personal care in later life too, so it is really important to think about these things.