Improving Your Quality of Life as a Student

With the new academic year not a million miles away, it might be time to give a thought to how you can get the most out of this next step in your journey at university. There's plenty of things to take into consideration, but finding the right balance of all the key elements that make up this experience is something to be mindful of. Read on to find out how you can improve your quality of life as a student. 

Diet

The NHS points out that you should be eating 5 portions of fruit/veg' every day. Alongside this, they also recommended: that you try to base your meals on starchy food such as potatoes, pasta, rice or bread; that you eat some beans, eggs, fish, meat, pulses and other proteins; that you include some dairy or dairy alternatives (e.g. soya drinks) in your diet; that you opt for unsaturated oils and spreads to be consumed in small quantities; that you drink plenty of fluids.

It is also recommended that you avoid having large quantities of foods and drinks on a frequent basis that are high in salt, fat and sugar.

Exercise*

The advice that the NHS gives regarding the amount of exercise that an individual between the ages of 19 and 64 should be doing is 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity (examples: brisk walking, riding a bike on level ground or with few hills, skateboarding) along with strength exercises (examples: push-ups, sit-ups, lifting weights, yoga) on at least two days of the week.

Alternatively, you can do 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity (examples: jogging, running, football, singles tennis) along with strength exercises on at least two days of the week (see above).

The other option is to do a combination of moderate and vigorous aerobic activity every week- this could be two 30 minute runs and a 30-minute brisk walk plus the strength exercises on at least two days of the week.

For those of the age of 18, you fall into the 5-18 category. The advice for those between these ages is to do a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity per week that includes moderate and vigorous activity, with activities on 3 days of the week being ones that target the strengthening of bones and muscles (examples: tennis and gymnastics).

Money

A tricky issue for students perhaps, money and finances can be a real challenge for those trying to make their way comfortably through their academic journey. There will surely be a lot of views, opinions, suggestions and advice out there that could help you in this area, so it is well worth having a look to find something that seems the best to you.

A strong starting place though for handling your finances is by trying to blend planning with priorities. So, if you begin by putting together a budget to help get you from one week to the next, you could start by making sure that you prioritise all of the essential aspects of your weekly expenditures, such as food and rent etc. Then, you can add in the more fun and luxurious purchases and areas of your spending to the mix. This way you can keep track of all the money you're spending, helping you ensure you don't over-do it as well.

Another possible tip is to look into student discounts; a quick Google search should point you in the right direction, and there is, of course, the NUS card. Also, keep your eyes open for any other cheaper options for things or savings that can be made!

Entertainment

This one perhaps overlaps slightly with the previous section on money. Going out and having fun can be a huge drain on your finances, but as long as you are careful, seeing and doing that which gives you some sort of satisfying break from what can be a demanding routine of lectures and studying is quite important. Apart from helping you to de-stress and enjoy your time as a student even more which should help make the whole experience feel more rewarding, going-out and doing things you enjoy enables you to create and develop friendships. This is also a great way to build confidence.

For Birmingham students, you are in luck, as the city around you is in plentiful supply of things to see and do. And with the regular trains and buses that criss-cross Brum on a daily basis, it's a very easy city to explore for those who don't drive or have a car or want to take a taxi. Sports, cinemas, community events and music concerts can all be found in copious amounts here whether it's in Birmingham City Centre, Selly Oak or one of the various towns situated within this fascinating city.

Student Accommodation with Unihousing

For those out there on the hunt for Birmingham student accommodation, Selly Oak-based registered lettings agents Unihousing are here for you. With student studios and houses to choose from, Unihousing provides high-standard student housing at reasonable prices that boast fabulous locations that afford you brilliantly easy access to all of the amenities you need as well as the restaurants and nightlife that you want for making your time here a fun, memorable experience.

So Why Not Get in Touch With Unihousing Today To Find Out More?

* Make sure you check the NHS website, or with your doctor for further guidance on the exercise that you should be doing.