Living and studying in the Caribbean is pretty sweet, but if you aren’t adequately taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to truly enjoy it. Follow these eight tips to make the most of your time at a Caribbean medical school without missing out on the luxury of living in a tropical paradise. Here’s to being happy and healthy at AUA College of Medicine!

  1. Drink Water

Studying on the beach? Bring along a bottle of water too! It makes up more than half of your body weight so consistent rehydration is essential. It’s also packed with benefits such as promoting gastrointestinal health, flushing out impurities, replenishing electrolytes, and supporting cognitive activity. Not keeping hydrated can lead to mental strain and lack of energy – with women being more susceptible than men.

  1. Eat Less Sugary Sweets

Ah, the benefits of adulthood: you can devour ice cream for dinner and nobody will say “no.” Sadly, this may not only lead to cavities, but evidence also shows frequent sugar indulgence can stress the nervous system or lead to bigger problems like memory loss, diabetes, and hypertension. Eat foods with a lower glycemic index and you’ll increase your longevity and your ability to concentrate on earning a phenomenal GPA! Click here for smarter nutritional options that will boost your brain power.

  1. Don’t Skip Breakfast

It’s true: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It helps improve your metabolism, your focus, and your memory. If you’re a breakfast lover, this is great news. However, two helpings of the Lumberjack Special can make you feel sleepy and sluggish. You don’t have to go hungry to be healthy: eating a well-balanced breakfast will make you feel energized and ready to take on the day!

  1. Take Power Naps

Try replacing all those cups of coffee with some power naps. The more coffee you drink, the more you’ll need to feel awake. Short naps are a more rejuvenating, sustainable, and effective, healthy habit. Besides, it is also conducive to retaining information, especially come exam time.

  1. Study On the Beach

Spending more time near the ocean can relieve tension, so why not integrate it into your study habits? Mentally and emotionally, the sea provides a sense of calmness and fulfillment. The beach is also the perfect place to get some sunshine, an important source of Vitamin D. Too much of a good thing can be problematic, so remember to bring some sunscreen along with your study materials!

  1. Exercise in the Sand

Exercise should be a priority: it is good for your mood, your brain, and increases your level of productivity. If you want a break from exercising at AUA’s on-campus fitness center, you can always run on the beach. It’s easier on your body than running on pavement.

  1. Eliminate Stress – Improve Your Study Strategies

Are your study strategies working for you? Reducing stress is integral to strengthening your immune system, so why not try a different approach to your studies that could help fortify your health, academic performance, and confidence? The Feynman Technique is a method worth trying: Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize-Winning physicist, developed it and he was a pretty successful guy!

  1. Be Smart About Alcohol

Everyone’s tolerance is different, so knowing how your own body reacts to alcohol is important. This can also help reduce the inconvenience of hangovers, which tend to make you less productive the next day. Depending on your sensitivity, drinking even small amounts can lead to a bad night’s sleep or a queasy stomach.

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