Being a foreign student is very much like being an adventurer, an explorer. They leave their homeland to go into unchartered territories. When you embark on an adventure on your own, you have this some kind of excitement that will keep you moving for a while. But the flame sometimes subsides, and all you are left with is a sinking feeling. Such feelings are what you are trying to overwhelm, and fortunately, you succeed, but there will be times when you really just miss home. As a foreign student, you have accepted the reality that you are alone for now—this means that no one is going to look after you but you. With that, you need to make sure that you attend to your own needs.
Practicing self-care is an important facet of your student life. You have to see to it that you are well, so that you can pursue your dreams without having troubles. If this is your first time to be abroad as a student, there are some things that you can do to make sure that you are healthy and well. Here are some of them:
Find your social support
One of the things that a lot of foreign students find it hard to deal with is homesickness. It is not a trivial thing to overcome, especially if your anxiety and stress are always creeping up on you. While you can relieve you homesickness by video-chatting your family and friends, the sinking feeling does not always go away easily. With that, you have to find a social support system. Make friends with your roommate or your fellow international students. Join their activities, and have fun.
Find time for everything
One cause of stress for many foreign students is the way they manage their schedules. You should always come up with a schedule based on your priorities and stick to it as much as possible. There will always be time for everything; do not feel pressure to pick a part-time job that is close to your morning classes; prioritize your studies! You want to graduate on time, don’t you?
Get yourself health insurance
Your health is everything, and not taking care of it always comes with a price. So make sure that you are leading a healthy lifestyle. Get enough sleep. Eat healthy food. And do not push yourself to the limit. And if you really are concerned with your health, it pays that you get a reliable and comprehensive health insurance policy for foreign students in USA.
Take a break if necessary
You have been studying and working hard, and if you think that you need a break, go for it! Just do not have your break during class hours. Over the weekend, you can go out with your friends and explore the city or the beach (if there is any). You deserve that break!
Self-care is a philosophy that you should embrace, knowing that it is only yourself that you can depend on. While your schedules and classes are quite hectic, that is not an excuse not to take care of yourself. You need to look after yourself; otherwise, you will find it more challenging to pursue your dreams and turn your goals into reality.
