The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 11

October 20, 2020 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 4 Features Classes every student should take Habits: How to make them actually stick There are already so many classes to take in college. Everything from Algebra to Biology seems to be on the laundry list of credits each student needs. It’s amiraclewe don’t have to take rocket science. With so many classes to choose from, it’s very easy to miss some of the hidden gems outside of your major.Whenever you have a free slot in your schedule, be sure to take one of these three classes. They are sure to bring value to students of every major. Introduction to psychology Although it may be outside of a lot of people’s majors, a basic knowledge of psychology can go a long way for students of every background. Whether you are a doctor, businessman, author or athlete, understanding the way the human mind works and its behavioral Habits. They can be good, bad or anywhere in between, but they all affect how we live our daily lives and everyday actions. Fromwhat time you get up in the morning, to the food you eat and the activities you pursue throughout your day, most things in life are the results of our habits. Unfortunately, forming healthy habits and breaking unhealthy ones is not always an easy task. So, whether you want to break your habit of always sleeping in or pick up a newhabit like journaling or working out, continue reading below for some tips and insights into how habits form and howwe can build them to improve our lives. patterns can give you the insight needed to get an edge up on the competition. Not only will you be able to have a rough prediction of what someone’s response to something will be, but you will become more empathetic towards people and their issues. Now, all of this is speculative, assuming you apply what you learn to others, but what is true for almost anyone who steps inside a psych classroom is that you will learn more about yourself than anything else. You may notice quirks you have that you assumed were normal and learn to solve or come to terms with them. Interactions you have with other people may change when you know what’s going on under the surface. Public speaking Communication is an element of every person’s life. When you order food, talk to friends Start small While the end goal of implementing your new habit might be an overhaul of your daily schedule or a dramatic change in your lifestyle, it shouldn’t start out that way. By starting with small, easy actions, you can better build a foundation on which to base your future successes. For example, if you want to get in better shape, start by doing a few small exercises every day and work up to long, arduous workouts at the gym. Since you aren’t used to exercising as a part of your daily routine, starting too big can doom the habit altogether. Stacking Choosing a new habit without first setting By: Rey Perez Contributing Writer Let’s relieve some stress School and life itself can be stressful, which is why it is important to take a step back and relieve that tension. Everyone has their own ways of relieving stress, but it may take time to find the right fit. Looking for some ideas to kick back and relax? Here are three actions you can take to help decrease stress and improve your mental health. Exercise Depending on whether you prefer indoor or outdoor activities, exercising can be a great way to relieve stress. Some ideas are going for a walk, going to the gym or taking a yoga class. Certain exercises may help more than others, which is why it is good to keep an open mind when finding the right fit. Exercising will reduce stress by releasing endorphins, which improves your mood. Exercising also helps clear the mind of any worries and helps build confidence. It is a good idea to take a break once in a while to go outside and get some fresh air to help reduce stress and help better your mental health. Do things that make you happy As busy as life can get, it is important to make sure that you still are doing the things that make you happy. Some things that may be relaxing include baking, cooking, painting, reading, writing or spending time with family and friends. The list goes on. Getting in touch with your creative side may be just the thing you need to release some stress. It is also good to try new things, whether that be hiking, riding a bike or doing puzzles. Dedicating one day a week to doing the things that make you happy is a great way to recharge. Support system Instead of bottling up emotions, talk to someone -- whether it is a family member, a friend or someone else you trust. Sometimes, talking about the things that make life stressful will decrease the tension and make you feel better. When we get stressed, our judgment tends to get clouded and we can’t focus because everything seems overwhelming, but having that support system is extremely beneficial. They can give advice and guidance, which may be just the thing you need. They can give another viewpoint or a shortcut, which can help reduce your stress. It is important to find the right people to talk to -- people you know that can be uplifting. When life becomes stressful and overwhelming, find your outlet. or even do something as simple as saying “hi” to an acquaintance, you are communicating. If we do it all the time, we might as well do a good job of it. A public speaking class at NSUwill put you up in front of the class talking about a subject as early as the first week in my experience. It is understandable if this is horrifying to some, but like jumping into a cold pool, you get used to it and it gets easier. You will learn how to talk about topics as serious as foreign affairs and as casual as your life, which gives you a range to choose from for when you meet a variety of people with different formality levels throughout your life. Speaking is a skill, which means it can be improved. Just because you may be an awkward mess now does not mean you have to stay that way. With a public speaking class, you might just find yourself having the confidence to say “hi” to a stranger yourself up for success can be one of the biggest mistakes made when implementing a new habit. To avoid this, rather than choosing a habit to adopt that diverges from your established daily routine, experts suggest “stacking” your habits. According to The New York Times, by starting small and working new habits into your pre existing routine, habits become easier to implement. Rather than blocking out a new time frame for a habit you want to develop, look for ways to incorporate it into your daily schedule. If you want to get into the habit of reading, try picking up a book instead of your phone while you eat breakfast or before you go to bed. This way, you aren’t setting aside an entirely new time to implement your new habit. Any law class It may not be the most thrilling of subjects to everyone, but a law class is essential for any field. It could be business law, media law or even legal studies. There is a law class for many majors outside of students pursuing a career as a lawyer. Just taking one of these classes can give you the knowledge necessary to avoid having to lose money on fines, or even worse, legal fees. Even if you are going into a relatively suit-free field, why take the risk of going in blind? Better to be prepared than have to show up at 8:30 in the morning for civil court. Most field-related laws are very straightforward and are based in common sense, but there are a lot that would surprise any reasonable person. So, do yourself a favor and just know the rules. Consistency is key Regardless of the habit you want to adopt, being consistent is a key part of your success. According to various studies, forming a new habit can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days, with an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. This means that sticking to a new action is integral to having a habit stick. To maximize your success, aim to do your new action daily. That way, your body and mind get used to it and implement it into your daily routine. PRINTED WITH PERMISSION BY B. RAMNAUTH Take some time to do things that make you happy By: Briana Ramnauth Contributing Writer By: Emma Heineman Features Editor