1. Drink more water

There are guidelines everywhere about how much water you should drink. The general rule of thumb is eight 8 ounce glasses of water per day, which totals 64 ounces. This should be the minimum amount of water you drink per day, being sure to drink more if you engage in physical activity. If you feel thirst, that means you are actually quite dehydrated. Take a water bottle everywhere with you and drink it throughout the day. If you feel tired or lethargic, try drinking some water for energy and hydration.

2. Get some sleep

We all know that doctors recommend 8-10 hours of sleep per night, but sometimes student life prevents getting sufficient sleep. Pulling all-nighters are never worth it, since your brain and body can barely function the next day. Sleep does wonders for your cognition, information retention and attentiveness in class. Try to go to sleep and wake up around the same time each day. Routine works wonders for your body and you might find yourself having more energy and a better disposition. I try to motivate myself to stay on task during the day so I can get to sleep at a decent hour that night. Know your limits for studying and when to say enough is enough.

3. Eat healthy

Making healthy eating choices can be tricky, especially if you live in a dorm with limited food options. Most colleges are becoming increasingly health-conscious and provide some healthy alternatives. I’m not saying you can’t enjoy pizza or burgers once in awhile, but instead make fruit and veggies your main choices. Having a sandwich for lunch? Get a piece of fruit instead of chips. Chicken dinner in your res hall? Ask for extra green veggies. Once you’re aware of the options, healthier eating habits boil down to making simple substitutions.

Some days are so busy it can be hard to get three meals in, so pack snacks like nuts, fruit and cut-up veggies for when you’re dashing from class to class. I like Lara bars which are primarily made of dates and almonds with no added sugar. Even if you have to wake up early, eating breakfast is important for starting your metabolism, giving your brain energy and preventing overeating later in the day.

4. Exercise

Personally, I love to exercise and make time to do it every day. In college, classes, meetings, homework and activities can easily take over, leaving no room in your day for working out. Once I choose my class schedule, the next thing I fill in is my workout times. I make an effort not to schedule anything else during these times, making a commitment to my workouts.

Not only will exercise keep you in shape, but physical activity gets fresh oxygen into your blood, promotes brain function and prevents lethargy. I find exercise an excellent way to de-stress by releasing tension and anxiety. Explore the fitness facilities at your college and see what they have to offer. Many colleges have group fitness classes and clubs for everything from salsa dance to mountain biking.

5. Do things that you enjoy

You will need to intentionally make time to relax a bit a do something fun at least once per week. If you pay attention in class and study hard, the daily grind will wear you down pretty quick. This tip is where the introverts and extroverts start to diverge, depending on how you find it easiest to recharge. Those who seek the company of others are more extroverted, while those who prefer alone time for processing are introverted. A third personality type is the ambivert, which is a combination of introvert and extrovert.

Do some self-evaluation and decide what you want to do for relaxation. Read a book, ride your bike, run, draw, take a bubble bath, watch Netflix, write, bake, play sports or games with friends, do crafts, etc. Most colleges have a variety of intramural sports teams and clubs for every type of person. Find a consistent group of people who help you relax and unwind. Don’t join a club just because it will look good on your resume. Try something new that you have always wanted to try or have been too scared to try. If you make time to relax, you will find it easier to focus and work harder when it’s time to study.

6. Don’t try to do it all.

Everywhere you turn at college (and for the rest of your life) there will be people who do the same things as you. The difference is, they make it seem like they are always doing more, always better and faster. They have jobs, internships, and killer resumes filled with amazing experiences. They are on the board of 5 student clubs, straight 4.0 GPA, looking to decrease fossil fuel emissions by 50% and prevent melting of the polar ice cap by the end of next month.

It’s easy to play the comparison game and decide that you need to do more and improve in all aspects of your life. I’m not suggesting that you squash your ambition and drive to achieve your goals. Just don’t put so much pressure on yourself and expect perfection. Do your best where you are and explore new opportunities as they arise. Do things to improve your resume, but also make time for recreation and relaxation. You are not defined by your grades, or your friend’s grades or your study partner’s grades.

My advice is choosing a few things to do really well rather than trying to do them all and burning out. College is a long distance race, not a sprint. Take your time and enjoy it.