Building healthy habits as a university student

Whether you’re a current student hoping to add some healthy habits into your daily routine, or a prospective student worried about maintaining your wellbeing at university, this blog post is for you!

University is an exciting yet challenging time. Keeping healthy habits throughout your studies is essential if you want to seize all the opportunities university has to offer without burning out.

Here’s how I build healthy habits into my routine, plus my most recommended habits.

Be realistic

One of the biggest reasons I stick to my habits is because I chose them wisely.

It’s far more helpful to commit to three genuinely useful habits than to suddenly add ten new habits into your routine, and then give up a week later.

How to choose your habits

When picking habits, start small and personal. The “best” habits make your life easier, not harder. Here are a few things to think about:

1. Identify your stressors

Think about what drains your energy during the week. Are you constantly rushing in the morning? Struggling to fall asleep? Forgetting to drink water? Your habits should solve real problems, not just sound productive.

2. Choose habits that fit your lifestyle

If you hate running, don’t decide that you’re suddenly going to do a 5K every morning. Pick habits that feel achievable with your current schedule and interests.

3. Make them bite-sized

Big goals are great, but habits work best when they’re kept small. Instead of “eat healthier”, try “add a fruit or vegetable to each meal”. Small wins add up and make a big impact over time.

4. Pick habits you can measure

You’re more likely to stick to habits when you can track them. “Drink one bottle of water” is easier to track than “stay hydrated”. Clear habits leads to fewer excuses.

5. How to implement your habits

Before the start of each term, I look at my timetable and choose set times during the week to dedicate to staying on top of my habits.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in other commitments and forget the small things that make life easier. By physically blocking off time for myself, I avoid the future guilt of choosing rest over my to-do list

Another great technique is habit stacking - linking a new habit onto something you already do automatically.

For example, if you want to start making your bed every morning, stack it onto brushing your teeth. Once you put your toothbrush down, make your bed. Because brushing your teeth is already a fixed routine, it becomes the perfect cue to trigger the new habit.

Don’t be too strict

While prioritising your wellbeing is important, life will get in the way sometimes. A crucial part of building healthy habits is giving yourself grace when things don’t go to plan. Being too rigid can actually cause more stress.

For example, one of my habits is keeping a consistent sleep schedule. But if I meet friends and stay out later than expected, I don’t spiral about breaking my routine. I focus on the positives: I had fun, I socialised, and honestly, that often boosts my energy anyway.

My top healthy habits

1. Getting outside

Whether it’s a quick walk to the shops or a long run by the canal, getting fresh air every day keeps me motivated and clears my head.

2. Moving my body

With so many sports teams at the University of Birmingham (both professional and social), there’s something for everyone. I play for the MFL society’s netball team, and our weekend campus league matches are the perfect way to decompress and meet new people.

3. Meal prepping

I love to cook, but during term time it’s not always my priority. To avoid relying on ready meals or takeaways, I batch-cook meals before term starts and freeze them. Coming home to a quick homemade dinner is a lifesaver.

4. Reading

When I spend my downtime scrolling on my phone, I never really switch off. Reading before bed helps me disconnect from the noise of social media and unwind properly. It’s become one of my favourite habits.

Building healthy habits at university doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small, stay flexible, and choose habits that genuinely support your wellbeing. With a little consistency, these small changes can make your university experience happier, healthier, and a much more manageable.