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Here’s what’s going to be different in your life this year:

You will play at a higher level. You will raise your academic standards.

It’s 2023 my friend, and we are coming with that full court press!

Cheers to acing your academic responsibilities 🥂.

Now then, let’s delve into the concept of Academic Wellness.

For starters, it includes extending your knowledge, building networks and habits that support lifelong learning, whilst taking good care of yourself.

Further than that, it consists of managing academic workloads, using available resources to make effective decisions, challenging yourself to new academic experiences and achieving your goals without burning out.

Number one rule of the successful: strategize to achieve greatness

The year carries twelve months. That’s why it can get overwhelming to handle all the workload and still have time to be a person outside of the classroom.

To be an effective student, break the year into digestible pieces.

Planning and strategy are the lifeblood of consistently successful endeavours.

For example, you may begin by developing weekly (academic) habits, as time goes on come up with monthly milestones, fight to commit to them and before you know it, the habits will be hardwired —— and the year will take care of itself.

And whenever you lose your perspective and motivation, think of an elephant. The analogy goes: you cannot eat the entire elephant with one big bite. (Neither can you see the whole elephant if you are standing too close to it. Take a few steps back to get an unobstructed view.) Self-introspect — and journal your thoughts — all the time.

One lecture at a time until the course is finished. Mantra.

It’s 2023, let’s get academically healthier

First, let’s both accept that wellness is multi-dimensional.

That’s the reason it is important to take care of yourself holistically.

In addition to the need for food, shelter, communication and transport, there’s the need to be healthy —— academically speaking.

It’s your responsibility to monitor how well-off you are on the school front.

And while in pursuit of academic happiness, be on the look-out for:

• Stress (learn to navigate change)
• Anxiety (don’t create problems in your head; breathe, relax, you got this!)
• Sleep difficulties (are you giving enough sleep to the body and mind?)
• Nutrition (how and what are you eating?)
• Depression (what is currently stressing you out? And why?)
• Sexual health (love and take care of yourself always)
• Participation in extracurricular activities (all work and no play made Jay a dull boy; leave behind the textbook, the phone and go interact with the world fully)
• Relationship challenges (learn to solve disagreements with a calm, intelligent and respectful demeanour; that’s how you keep lifelong relationships)
• Alcohol and other types of drugs (look out for yourself; don’t depend on substances to function)
• Body image and self-esteem (how do you really feel about yourself? Explore that question deeply and you’ll be better for it).

Above all else, tend to your wellness consistently. Make it your foundation. Mainly because on a good day, being a student and juggling other life commitments can be daunting. Hence a student with poor academic health has a higher chance of flunking their subjects and perhaps, end up dropping out as a result.

Take advantage of campus health services.

Supportive health services are interventions designed for students. This includes the provision of a wide range of services that can influence health and well-being.

For a tangible feel and understanding of academic wellness in action, check out a few student support initiatives from South African universities:

• WITS University

• University of Pretoria

• University of Cape Town

• University of Johannesburg

• University of the Western Cape

Always keep in mind that health is the gas. Make sure you got too much in the tank.

All the best with the year 👊🏾