Healthy Habits for University Students Living Away from Home

Moving to another city to study is an exciting experience. It is the perfect time to meet new people, become more independent, and start a new stage full of opportunities. However, living away from home also means taking on new responsibilities.

When your family is no longer nearby to help you, maintaining a healthy routine can be difficult because of classes, assignments, exams, and plans with friends. As a result, aspects such as nutrition, rest, and exercise can easily be overlooked.

However, you do not need to make major changes to feel better. By adopting a few simple routines, you can take care of your physical and mental wellbeing, improve your academic performance, and enjoy your university experience.

The habits you develop during your university years can stay with you for a long time. That is why having a healthier lifestyle not only benefits your health but also improves your concentration, your energy levels, and your ability to manage the stress that can sometimes arise.

When you take care of yourself, it is easier to:

• Stay focused during classes
• Organise your study time more effectively
• Reduce stress during exam periods
• Sleep better
• Have more energy for everyday life
• Enjoy living with other students

Having a healthy routine benefits your academic future, among many other aspects of your life.

One of the biggest changes when living away from home is having to organise your own meals.

At first, it is normal to rely on fast food or ready-made meals, especially when time is limited. However, cooking simple recipes a few days a week can help you save money and eat much better.

For example, the Unihabit residence in Ciutat Vella has a spacious, fully equipped shared kitchen designed for students’ daily needs. Having ovens, microwaves, a ceramic hob, refrigerators, and ample workspace makes preparing healthy meals much easier, even if you share the space with other residents.

Cooking together is also a great way to socialise, discover recipes from other students, and maintain a varied diet.

Some practical tips include:

• Plan your meals for the week
• Always keep fruit and vegetables at home
• Cook larger portions for several days
• Avoid consuming too many ultra-processed foods
• Bring a healthy snack when you spend many hours at university

There are many easy, affordable, and quick recipes that can become your best allies for preparing healthy and delicious meals.

Many people think that studying until three in the morning is the best way to prepare for an exam. However, getting enough rest helps improve memory, increases concentration, and allows you to perform much better the following day.

For this reason, you should try to:

• Sleep between 7 and 9 hours
• Keep similar sleeping schedules every day
• Avoid using your phone just before going to bed
• Reduce your caffeine intake in the afternoon

Sleeping well does not mean losing study time; it means making better use of it.

You do not need to spend two hours a day at the gym to stay active. Instead, you can develop simple habits such as:

• Walking to university
• Cycling
• Following a 30-minute workout routine several times a week

At Unihabit, you will find residences designed to help you maintain an active lifestyle more easily. Our residences in Manresa and Girona have well-equipped gyms, allowing you to work out without leaving the building. The Girona residence also has a volleyball court, a garden, and an outdoor patio, which are perfect for exercising or enjoying the outdoors with other residents.

If you prefer outdoor exercise, the Manresa residence has an outdoor recreation area in a very peaceful setting, perfect for a walk or run after classes. The Sant Cugat residence also features outdoor areas where you can relax and unwind with other residents.

Exercise helps reduce stress and improves your mood. That is why it is always considered healthy and important, especially during periods of high academic workload, when it provides a great opportunity to disconnect for a while.

One of the biggest challenges when starting university is learning how to manage your time. Good planning helps prevent leaving assignments until the last minute and reduces feelings of being overwhelmed.

You can use tools such as:

• Digital calendars
• Planners
• Organisation apps
• Daily to-do lists

Spending a few minutes each week planning your goals can make a big difference.

University can also bring moments of pressure, significant changes, or even feelings of loneliness, especially during your first months living away from home.

That is why it is essential to learn to recognise how you feel, and sometimes taking a break from academic life can also be beneficial.

You can support yourself by:

• Talking to friends or family
• Setting aside time for activities you enjoy
• Practising relaxation techniques
• Asking for help whenever you need it

Taking care of both your mental and physical health is especially important during exam periods or on days when you need to study more.

When you spend many hours studying or taking part in other activities, it is easy to forget to drink water. For this reason, you should always carry a reusable water bottle.

It is an easy way to stay properly hydrated throughout the day without forgetting to drink water. Good hydration also improves concentration, reduces fatigue, and can increase both your physical and mental performance.

Living in a student residence can help you maintain very healthy habits. Sharing spaces with other students makes it easier to establish a balanced routine, whether by studying together, cooking in groups, or participating in activities organised by the residence itself.

At Unihabit, we believe that wellbeing is much more than just accommodation. That is why our residences are designed to help you take care of yourself throughout your university years, with facilities designed for studying, resting, cooking, exercising, and enjoying your free time.

Depending on the residence, you will find fully equipped kitchens, gyms, study rooms, common areas, and outdoor spaces that make it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Because having a great university experience is not only about passing exams, but also about growing as a person, building new friendships, and learning to take care of yourself while enjoying this stage of your life.

Organising your study time is very important because there will be times when you need to study and others when you should rest or spend time with friends. If these habits are maintained in a balanced way, you can enjoy a healthy and rewarding university experience.

Yes. Living in a peaceful environment with suitable areas for studying, resting, and socialising with other students is important for maintaining a healthier and more productive routine throughout the academic year.

The first few months at university are one of the best times to establish routines that make adapting to this new stage easier. Developing healthy habits from the beginning helps you manage your academic responsibilities more effectively and supports a balanced lifestyle throughout your university degree.