How to Be Happy as a College Student?
Right. So, we're talking about this blog post called how to be happy as a college student. Mhmm. And, you know, it's something that a lot of parents are thinking about as their kids are getting ready to head off to college. You know, we all want our kids to be happy.
Speaker 1:Yeah. But sometimes I think there's this assumption that, you know, once they get to college, happiness will just kinda, like, magically happen.
Speaker 2:Right. It's like checking a box. You know?
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:Got into college. Check. Now they're gonna be happy. Check.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And this blog post really dives into all of that. And and one of the first points it makes is that happiness is personal, not a checklist. What what do you think about that?
Speaker 2:Yeah. I think, you know, it's tempting for parents to think, like, okay. My college experience was this way. So this is what a happy, successful college experience looks like for my kid. But kids are different people, and what makes one person happy might not work for somebody else.
Speaker 2:You know? Some people get energy from being around a lot of people all the time. Right. And then other people need quiet time to recharge.
Speaker 1:Yeah. The the blog post actually gives this example of a student who loves nature. And they say, you know, that student might be happy just taking walks, exploring the campus arboretum. Yeah. Whatever.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And I think that's where, you know, talking to your kid really in. You know, encourage them to try new things and figure out, you know, what actually brings them joy, not just what you think should bring them joy.
Speaker 1:That makes a lot of sense. But, you know, I think some parents might be thinking, okay, happiness is great, but isn't academic success the priority? I mean, isn't that what really matters?
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And this is where this blog post gets really interesting because it argues that happiness is actually a key driver of success.
Speaker 2:Yeah. There's actually a lot of research that shows that happy students are more engaged, more productive, even more creative. I think the blog post even said that one study found happy students were something like 31% more productive.
Speaker 1:31%. Yeah. That's huge. Yeah. So it's not just about, you know, feeling good happiness actually gives students a real advantage.
Speaker 2:Right. And it's not just magic either. There's a reason for it. Yeah. Positive emotions actually change the way our brains work.
Speaker 2:You know, when we're feeling happy and content, we can think more flexibly. We can connect ideas better, and we're better at problem solving.
Speaker 1:So it's almost like happiness unlocks this higher level of brainpower.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:That's pretty cool.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But how do we actually cultivate happiness in our kids, especially in a place like college, which can be pretty stressful? Yeah. The blog post talks about that too. Right?
Speaker 2:It does. And one of the things it really emphasizes is the importance of routine. And I don't mean, like, super rigid schedule, but helping your child establish good habits and create some structure and balance in their lives. You know, if a student is always scrambling to catch up or pulling all nighters, that's a recipe for burnout.
Speaker 1:Yeah. For sure.
Speaker 2:Nobody can thrive like that.
Speaker 1:Right. But then on the other hand, a schedule with too much free time can be just as bad. It's so easy to procrastinate or get distracted.
Speaker 2:Yeah. You need that balance. And the blog post actually mentions this thing called the 50 10 rule, which I think is really interesting. The idea is that you alternate 50 minutes of focused studying with a 10 minute break.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's a good idea.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So it's a way to be productive, but also prevent, you know, getting mentally exhausted.
Speaker 1:I like that. Yeah. And it seems like something that could really help students who have trouble managing their time or get overwhelmed easily. You're breaking things down into smaller chunks.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And it doesn't just have to be for studying either. You know, you can think about it for your well-being in general. Make sure you're making time for exercise hobbies, spending time with friends, relaxing. You know, those things are just as important as studying when it comes to being happy and healthy.
Speaker 1:Right. And, you know, college is not always easy. There are gonna be times when things are tough, you know, a hard class or just the stress of being in a new environment. Yeah. So how can parents help their kids stay positive when things get rough?
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's a good question. The blog post talks about that too, doesn't it? It does. And one of the things it mentions is gratitude.
Speaker 2:And it sounds kinda simple, but taking a few minutes each day to think about the good things in your life can make a really big difference.
Speaker 1:I've heard that, you know, focusing on what you're grateful for can actually release those feel good chemicals in your brain Mhmm. Like dopamine and stuff.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's right. Yeah. It's not just, like, some feel good thing. There's actual science behind it, and it's something anyone can do.
Speaker 2:You know, encourage your kid to keep a gratitude journal or just spend a couple minutes before bed thinking about the good parts of their day.
Speaker 1:Yeah. That's a great idea. I like that. And I think the blog also talks about some other things for staying positive, like mindfulness and positive affirmations.
Speaker 2:Right. Those can be really helpful too. Mindfulness can help with anxiety. You know? Even just taking a few deep breaths can make a difference, and positive affirmations can help change those negative thought patterns.
Speaker 2:Like, if you're always telling yourself, I'm not good enough I'm gonna fail, that can become a self fulfilling prophecy.
Speaker 1:Yeah. That makes sense.
Speaker 2:But if you start focusing on positive thoughts and statements that can really change your mindset and build your confidence.
Speaker 1:So you're basically training your brain to focus on the good stuff instead of dwelling on the bad.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And then the, you know, the other piece of this is the people around you. I mean, we're talking about college. So your kid is gonna be surrounded by new people and new experiences. So how does that affect their happiness?
Speaker 1:Yeah. That's a big part of it. And the the blog talks about that too. Right?
Speaker 2:Yeah. It really emphasizes connection. You know, building a good support network of friends, mentors, family.
Speaker 1:Who can support you and encourage you and make you feel like you belong.
Speaker 2:Right. Exactly. I mean, we're social creatures. You know, we need to feel connected to other people. That's just part of being human.
Speaker 1:So how can parents help their kids build those connections? I know the blog had some specific advice about that.
Speaker 2:Yeah. They said, you know, encourage your kid to join clubs, go to social events, get involved in things they're interested in because that's a great way to meet people who share your interests and make new friends.
Speaker 1:Right. So those extracurriculars aren't just about building a resume. They can actually help your kid be happier and healthier.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And it's not just about making new friends either. You know, it's also important to stay connected with family and friends back home.
Speaker 1:To have that support system, to know that there are people you can talk to when you're feeling homesick or stressed or just need someone to listen.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And that's where parents come in. You know, even if you're not physically there with your kid, you can still be a huge source of support.
Speaker 1:You know, call them, text them, video chat. Just little things to let them know you're thinking about them.
Speaker 2:And just listen to them. You know, be that person they can talk to without judgment.
Speaker 1:Let them know that it's okay to struggle, that everyone goes through ups and downs, and that they're not alone.
Speaker 2:And I think sometimes we forget how powerful that can be.
Speaker 1:Yeah. I agree. I think so much of what we've been talking about comes down to giving our kids the tools they need to deal with the challenges of college, you know, both academically and emotionally.
Speaker 2:Like a toolkit for happiness.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Exactly. And the best part is that these tools are things they can use for the rest of their lives. And it's not just about 4 years of college. It's about setting them up for a happy and fulfilling life.
Speaker 2:Right. And it's not just, you know, making new friends. It's also about keeping those connections with family and friends back home.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Definitely. You know, just having those people you can rely on when you're feeling homesick or stressed or just need to talk to somebody.
Speaker 2:And that's where parents, you know, even though we're not there on campus, we can still be a really important part of that support system.
Speaker 1:Exactly. Mhmm. And it doesn't have to be anything big. You know, a phone call, a text, just little things to let your kid know you're thinking about them.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Just staying connected, being there to listen.
Speaker 1:Right. And let them know it's okay if they're struggling. You know, everybody goes through ups and downs. It's normal.
Speaker 2:And, you know, sometimes just knowing that you're not alone can make a huge difference.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. So I think, you know, a lot of what we've talked about comes down to this idea of giving our kids the tools they need to navigate college, you know, to deal with the challenges and the stress. It's like giving them a toolkit for happiness.
Speaker 2:I like that. And the great thing is these tools, they're not just for college. You know, gratitude mindfulness, positive self talk, strong connections, these are things that will help them throughout their lives.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. It's about setting them up for success, not just in college, but in life.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And I think that's really what it's all about. You know? As parents, we wanna help our kids thrive.
Speaker 1:Well, this has been a really interesting conversation. I think it's given us a lot to think about.
Speaker 2:Me too.
Speaker 1:You know, happiness isn't just something that happens. It's something you have to work at. Uh-huh. And we can help our kids do that.
Speaker 2:And, you know, if anyone listening is feeling overwhelmed by the whole college process or just looking for more resources, I know there's this company called College Journey.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah. I've heard of them.
Speaker 2:They have this AI powered college counselor called Alice that helps students and families figure out all the ins and outs of college admissions.
Speaker 1:That sounds really helpful. So if people wanna learn more about College Journey, where should they go?
Speaker 2:Their website is college journey dotai.
Speaker 1:Great. We'll put a link in the show notes too. Well, it's been great talking to you today. I think we've all learned a lot.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's been a pleasure.
Speaker 1:And to all the parents out there listening, remember, your child's happiness is so important. It's not just a nice to have. It's essential for their well-being and their success. Keep those lines of communication open. Offer your support, and don't be afraid to reach out for help if you need it.
Speaker 2:That's great advice. And, you know, never underestimate the power of your love and encouragement.
Speaker 1:Beautifully said. Well, that's all the time we have for today's deep dive. We'll see you next time.
