Successful university students are those who typically demonstrate the capacity to balance their lives. Too much time devoted to one area of life at the expense of other areas can build up stress and throw us off kilter. Four important aspects of self that need lots of TLC (tender loving care) are our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well being. How are you doing in these areas?

The classroom challenges us mentally. Research papers and exams allow us to discover more about ourselves and the world and stretch our boundaries of understanding and knowledge. Developing good time-management skills allows us to complete tasks efficiently and well, which adds to our self-confidence and competence.

Our emotional side is nurtured through time spent developing relationships and participating in co-curricular activities. These discharge stress and recharge our mental batteries. That’s right: spending time having fun makes us more efficient when we return to our mental tasks.

Physical exercise releases chemicals in the brain called endorphins. These are some of the best medicine we can take for clearing the mind and feeling more in control.

Finally, we nurture our spiritual side, including our relationship with God. Through our faith we connect to this other source of strength, direction and purpose and give meaning to all that we do.