As a college student, we know how tough things can get for you. From managing challenging assignments to struggling between part-time jobs, exam preparation, getting time for yourself and your family, and hanging out with your friends. All of it gets too heavy on a student’s shoulders. 

During these busiest hours of your life, you can encounter severe challenges that can leave you emotionally drained and badly impact your college success. So how do you control your emotions? With this emotional roller coaster ride, you may experience academic success constraints. This is why Nerdify reviews six tried and tested strategies for you to control your emotions and get your excellent student record back!

6 Tips From Nerdify Reviews Experts to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence

A student who is capable of bravely managing personal emotions can lead a rewarding individual and professional life. It doesn’t work in a way that you have to bottle up your emotions so it doesn’t flow out. To improve emotional intelligence you need to respect your feelings and emotions without shutting them off. 

The emotions that are regulated without getting suppressed help enhance your mood, build stronger connections, and, most significantly, allow you to make some solid decisions. 

1. Notice the Impact of Your Emotions

Every emotion isn’t bad. Some expressions of these emotions make our lives fun and exciting and fill them with colors and laughter. Emotions represent us as human beings who still feel life, who have hearts that beat, and minds that think. All of these beautiful, warm feelings let us express our emotions.

As we feel so much more, sometimes situations can become a little overwhelming. It is fine to let others know what you feel, but the real issue occurs when you aren’t able to control these stormy emotions. 

Nerdify reviews a bunch of students and confirms that these aggressive emotions can lead you to various issues like problems in focusing on your studies, waking up early, attending classes on time, not being able to understand college assignments, emotional outbursts in front of your professors, or conflict in friendships.

So, you need to give yourself some time and ponder over what’s going on and which areas of your life are troubling you. Once you figure it out, you can start paying attention to it to make things better!

2. Work on Regulating Your Emotions

As mentioned earlier, suppressing or repressing your emotions can make your mental and physical health worsen over time. It can include symptoms like depression, sleep issues, anxiety, muscle pain, and more.

You need to get creative to control your emotions. You can identify what’s triggering you at your college, work, or home and try to reduce the triggers by engaging in affirmative self-talk, choosing how to respond to various situations, seeking out a therapist, etc.

3. Try Thinking of Alternatives

Everyone has major triggers in their life. As a college student, you may have to deal with many as well. Once you are triggered by this specific situation, you need to take a deep breath and think of alternatives to make your emotional health better.

Let’s suppose you have worked really hard for this exam. Even after attempting to complete a paper and writing relatable answers to every question, you aren’t able to pass this college course.

What will you do now? Nerdify reviews it as a way to question yourself and reframe your thoughts to help you relax your extreme emotions. You can take numerous steps to overcome a similar experience the next time, like talking to your teacher, asking what you wrote that led to marks deduction, and more. This wider understanding will relax your mind, and you will easily respond to the situation accordingly. 

4. Track Your Moods Using a Mood Journal

To work on improving your emotional intelligence, you can always invest in those mood journals. You can pen down what you are feeling and later track your moods. This writing experience will let you understand your emotional pattern after getting triggered.

A mood journal will help you to reflect on your emotions once you are no longer in your triggered phase. Nerdify reviews this strategy to lead you into more productive days – as you can manage your emotions easily. You do not need to stress over a college issue, work trouble, or something that’s bugging you at home anymore.

Apart from that, daily journaling helps you stay organized, which will significantly boost your college success. Whenever something steals the peace of your mind, jot it down in your mood journal. Tracking your triggers and working on them will keep you on the right journey to becoming a better student!

5. Take a Deep Breath

It doesn’t matter if you are feeling at peace or burning aggressively; taking a deep breath won’t harm anyone. You can always sit in a calm place and practice deep breathing. It will regulate your mood, and you will get a chance to step back from the current event and think about what actually happened.

The practice of deep breathing will prevent you from reacting in the heat of the moment and giving extreme reactions to the triggering situation. This breathing method is perfect for controlling your emotions. You can do it by starting with taking deep breaths, holding it for a few seconds, and then letting it out slowly.

6. Consult a Therapist

We understand you are going through some stressful patches in your life. We totally respect it and want to ensure that you’ll soon be over such emotions. The things that trigger you now won’t even matter after a few months if you pay good attention to your mental and physical health.

You can always talk to a therapist and seek professional assistance for your mood swings, reactions to triggers and traumas, and more. 

Conclusion

As a college student, you often find it hard to control your emotions due to various reasons like excessive assignments, exams back-to-back, late classes, or several other reasons. All you need to do is weave a perfect strategy to easily deal with your emotions including mood swings, trauma, reaction to triggering events, and more by journaling, practicing deep breathing, consulting a therapist, etc. Follow our guide with simple yet effective strategies to regain control over your emotional well-being. 

Self-care for students is about the intentional actions taken to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Self-care tips for students involve activities that may help you prioritize your own needs and practice habits that support your health, happiness, and academic success. 

As students, you often face significant stressors, such as academic pressures, social expectations, financial burdens, and personal challenges. Without adequate self-care, you may experience burnout, exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues that can negatively impact your academic performance and overall quality of life. Of course, you need the plan to cope with all that things, so the Nerdify Reviews team collected 8 self-care tips for students that can make your college experience better. Read on to find out more. 

Nerdify Reviews 8 Self-Care Tips for Students to Help Your Immune System This Semester

It’s that time of year again — college students everywhere are heading back to campus. With that, the semester brings the usual worries about classes, exams, and socializing.

This semester, there’s a new concern on everyone’s minds: how to stay healthy in the aftermath of the pandemic. Whether you’re living in a dorm or staying at home, you must take care of your mind and body. To help you with that Nerdify Reviews team prepared 8 self-care tips for students that will actually help your immune system this semester.

1. Get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health—not just for your immune system but for your overall well-being as well. Aim for 7-9 hours a night if possible; if not, make sure to take regular naps during the day to catch up on lost sleep. Be sure to go to bed early enough so that you don’t have to rely on caffeine to get through the day!

2. Eat healthy foods

Eating nutritious foods is key when it comes to boosting your immunity. Try to focus on whole foods — fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains — and avoid processed and sugary foods as much as possible. Not only will these help build up your immunity but they’ll also give you more energy throughout the day so you can power through classes and studying sessions. Try meal prepping or choosing healthier options when you go out to eat.  

3. Be mindful of stress levels

Stress can hurt both physical and mental health. So be mindful of how much stress you’re taking on throughout the semester and make sure you find ways to manage it. Take some time each day for yourself — even if it’s just 10 minutes — to meditate or practice yoga or simply sit in silence without any distractions. These activities are among the most useful self-care tips for students and they will help reduce stress levels and give your body a chance to relax and recharge.  

4. Take care of your mental health

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health when it comes to building immunity. If you’re feeling down or anxious, reach out for help either by talking with friends or family members or seeking professional support from a therapist or counselor if needed. Taking care of both physical and mental health will ensure that your immune system is functioning at its best this semester! 

5. Exercise regularly

Exercise is one of the greatest self-care tips for students that helps to boost your immune system and keep your body healthy. Make sure to find time for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day, whether it’s a quick run around the block or an online yoga class. If you can’t do 30 minutes, even 10 minutes is good enough to rewire your brain. Simple stretches are better than nothing and will ultimately contribute to your mental health.

6. Stay hydrated

Drinking plenty of water can help flush out toxins and keep your cells hydrated, which can help boost immunity. We’ve all heard that 8 glasses of water a day is best, but in reality, it’s based on your body weight.

A best practice when consuming fluids is to drink half an ounce to an ounce per each pound of weight. For example, if you weigh 120 lbs, you should be drinking 60-120oz of water a day.

7. Supplements

Adding immune-boosting supplements such as vitamin C, probiotics, and zinc to your daily routine can help give your body the extra boost it needs to fight infection. Depending on your needs (energy levels, immune support, gut health, etc.), the supplements you take may vary. Talk to your doctor before starting any supplements to make sure they’re right for you.

8. Limit your alcohol intake

It can be tempting to go out every weekend to college bars with your friends, but be mindful of the consequences. Alcohol can weaken your immune system, so try to limit your intake this semester. Stick to one or two drinks a week if possible and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water in between drinks.

In Conclusion

College life can be tough even without having to worry about a pandemic. The importance of self-care for students lies in its ability to improve their resilience, mental clarity, and overall well-being, allowing them to better navigate the challenges of college or university life and thrive both academically and personally. However, taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be hard! With these 8 self-care tips for students, you can keep both your body and mind healthy all semester long so that you’re ready for anything that comes your way!

From getting sufficient sleep and eating nutritious foods to managing stress levels and taking care of your mental health – these tips will help ensure that no matter what challenges come up this semester –you’ll be ready!

Be sure to read the Nerdify Reviews team’s articles 3 Tried and True Habits of a Successful Student in 2023 and 13 Ways That Music Helps With Studying to find even more useful tips for students!

What is Active Listening?

It’s more than just hearing someone speak; listening is about truly connecting with the person sharing their thoughts.

An active listener focuses entirely on the speaker, striving to grasp not just the words but also the feelings behind them. This means blocking out distractions – no zoning out or thinking about what you’ll say next – and really tuning in to the conversation.

Active listening is an “intentional communication skill” that transcends simply hearing. It’s about immersing yourself in the dialogue to understand and empathize with the speaker’s message.

For college students, mastering active listening during lectures, discussions, or labs can significantly enhance your learning experience. In fact, researchers point out that strong listening skills are crucial for academic success: they boost comprehension, improve retention, and can even lead to better grades.

Why is Listening Important?

Listening is super important, and it’s a question worth asking! It plays a vital role in how we learn and communicate.

Experts are on the same page: if you work on your listening skills, you’ll become a better student and communicator.

For instance, teachers often highlight that in an engaging classroom, being a good listener allows students to ask sharp questions and think critically about what they’re learning. In simple terms, effective listening means you won’t overlook important instructions or details during lectures. Research supports this idea too; one study found that students who engage in structured listening activities, like group discussions or quizzes, tend to be more involved and perform better in class.

But it’s not just about academics. Strong listening skills are the foundation of all communication. When you listen attentively, you get to know your classmates and teachers better, build trust, and even boost your own confidence. Active listening can enhance students’ confidence and their ability to express ideas, making the classroom experience feel more collaborative and less frustrating. In a nutshell, being a good listener helps you learn more effectively and connect with others on a deeper level.

How to Be an Active Listener?

Looking to sharpen your listening skills? Check out these handy tips tailored for the classroom:.

Focus your attention: Make sure to face the speaker, whether it’s your professor or a classmate, and eliminate any distractions. Stow your phone and maintain eye contact. This straightforward action – physically directing your focus – already shows you’re engaged. A helpful reminder from teachers is that a genuine listener “thinks about what the teacher is saying” rather than letting their mind drift off.

Give nonverbal signals: Use nods, smiles, and facial expressions to convey that you’re following along. A reassuring “mm-hmm” or a quick “yes” now and then can really encourage the speaker. These little cues (“I’m listening and I care”) help others feel more at ease when sharing their thoughts.

Summarize and question: After a key point or example, take a moment to paraphrase it in your mind or even say it out loud. For example, you might say to a peer, “So what you’re saying is…”, or jot down a quick summary in your notes. This reflective practice helps you catch the details. If something isn’t clear, don’t hesitate to ask a question: seeking clarification not only boosts your understanding but also shows you were truly paying attention.

Be patient and open-minded: Allow your classmates or instructor to finish their thoughts without jumping in. Resist the urge to mentally craft your response while they’re speaking. Make an effort to absorb their entire perspective first. Even if you don’t agree, keeping an open mind is essential – grasping another viewpoint is a key part of effective listening.

Show empathy (when appropriate): If someone is sharing a personal story or expressing frustration, listen with empathy. A simple “That sounds tough, I understand” can really make them feel heard. In a group project, acknowledging a peer’s concerns by saying something like “I see how that could be confusing” demonstrates that you value their input.

Active Listening Activities

Listening doesn’t have to be a chore; it can actually be a lot of fun! Here are some engaging active listening activities that college students can dive into.

Dream Vacation Pair Exercise: In this activity, you’ll team up with a partner. One person, let’s call them Person A (the Speaker), has 60 seconds to describe their dream vacation – talking about everything from the weather to the sights and food – without revealing the destination. The other person, Person B (the Listener), simply listens. Once the minute is up, Person B has to summarize what they heard and even guess the location based on those clues. This exercise sharpens your ability to catch details and paraphrase effectively.

Peer Summaries: After a lecture or during a study session, pair up and take turns summarizing key points for each other. For instance, Student A might explain a slide to Student B, who then rephrases it back. Switching roles keeps everyone engaged. Research shows that interactive classroom activities like discussions and recaps (as opposed to just listening to lectures) boost engagement and comprehension.

Active Note-Taking: Try a method that encourages reflection, like Cornell notes or concept maps. For example, split your page into a main column and a narrow question column. While you listen, jot down the main ideas on the right and write questions or quick summaries on the left. This approach helps you actively organize information. Later, you can use your questions to quiz yourself. Even something as straightforward as circling points you don’t quite grasp and following up on them makes your listening more intentional.

Question Roundtable: When working in groups, establish a rule that everyone must ask or answer at least one question about the topic. This way, everyone stays focused – you’ll listen closely so you can come up with a thoughtful question or response. It transforms passive listening into an engaging dialogue.

Takeaway: Practice and Reflect

Listening is a skill you can definitely improve over time. You know that saying about skills being like muscles? Well, it’s true – the more you exercise them, the stronger they get. So, why not try out one of those techniques in your next class or study group? For instance, challenge yourself to summarize a discussion point afterward, or keep your phone tucked away for the first 10 minutes. Then take a moment to reflect: What new insight did I gain by really tuning in?

Good listening isn’t just about boosting your grades; it’s a way to show respect to your classmates and make the learning experience richer for everyone involved. The next time you’re in class, ask yourself: “How well did I listen today?” You might even set a goal like, “Tomorrow, I’ll paraphrase two key points I hear.” Over time, these little habits will help you become an active listener who truly absorbs the material and enhances classroom discussions.