Life as a student can be taxing, not only on your mental and emotional health but also on your body. This week’s wisdom, given by Lila Sarnecki, goes hand in hand with Kevin Starkey’s advice from last Wednesday.

Sarnecki recognizes the impact that self-care has on quality of life and academic performance. 

“Take care of yourself,” Sarnecki said. “Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and drinking enough water. If you get enough sleep, you’ll do better in your classes, and your brain will work better.”

While Sarnecki knows and advocates for those self-care strategies, she understands that no one is perfect, including herself. It can be hard to prioritize time for personal wellness, especially when schedules start to fill up. This is why Sarnecki recommends setting small goals and working from there. 

“Start off small,” Sarnecki said. “Try to work on going to bed just 15 minutes earlier, and then try to go to bed 30 minutes earlier. Or try to drink at least one bottle of water a day.”

Though it can be applied to anyone, this advice is especially beneficial to those in high school. Setting aside a few moments during our busy days to take a sip of water or devoting 15 extra minutes to sleep instead of Instagram, can really change the way we think and feel. The little habits add up, and Sarnecki believes applying them daily can change each of our lives for the better.