There are many different types of support offered at La Trobe College Australia. Learn more about them so you can get help whenever you need it.
As a student, it’s inevitable that you’ll spend large parts of your day sitting down – either in lectures or at a computer doing assignments – and that can have a negative impact on how your body feels.
Taking the time to move your body outside of your study time can have great benefits to both your physical and mental health. And a great way to get moving is to get involved with sports at La Trobe University. There are many different ways to enhance your university experience with sports or active recreational activities.
As a student, you may have many competing demands in your day-to-day. You’ll be balancing study, work, financial, family and social commitments, all while adjusting to a new environment. Learning how to manage stress and anxiety are important life skills that will be valuable long after university.
Practicing mindfulness is a great plate to start. Mindfulness is about being fully in the present moment, and developing the skills to change habits of inattention or distraction. It is not only useful for stress management, but great for your study habits too.
It’s important to note that, although mindfulness has great benefits for many conditions that are well researched, there are some mental health conditions that could be unsuitable to practice mindfulness alone. It is important that you seek professional advice, such as Counselling Services for further support and advice.
Mindfulness can be practiced during many of the basic tasks we do each day, like brushing our teeth, making lunch, or exercising. These are some of the skills required for mindfulness practice:
Meditation is another very effective way to practice mindfulness. Here are some tips to start meditating:
Now that you know what mindfulness is about, have a go at using some of these resources to get you started!
La Trobe Counsellor Cassandra Scicluna has also created a mindful meditation video based at our Melbourne (Bundoora) campus focusing on the calming Nangak Tamboree river. Take a listen.
For more physical and mental wellbeing resources, visit the University website.
With the average college student often pressed for time, you may find yourself eating on the go, or developing bad habits like skipping meals or visiting fast food restaurants. However, a bad diet can affect more than your physical health. Eating well can have a positive impact on your mental health as well as your physical wellbeing, allowing you to manage stress and improve performance in your studies. It helps you maintain a healthy weight, improve immunity, reduce the risk of disease, and keep energy levels up all day.
As a general rule, everything is ok ‘in moderation’. Plan meals and snacks around colourful vegetables, fruits and wholegrains. Add protein and iron rich foods like lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, and seeds. Focus on heart healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds and olive oil.
To succeed in your studies, it’s important to think carefully about your study space.
A few small changes to your environment can support your happiness and wellbeing. This includes your living space. A health living space is one that is:
Plants and fresh flowers can bring a lot of life into a space. Some varieties can even help keep the air cleaner!