Meditation Tips for College Students

Ellice Ellis ‘20

It seems like it’s always something when it comes to our health and wellness. From yoga to barre to being gluten-free or juicing every day; there is always a new trend. “Mindfulness” and “meditation” are popular buzzwords these days but they’ve been a part of my life for almost 10 years!

I started meditating after attending group yoga when I was in middle school. My parent’s had recently gotten divorced and my mom found it was a good way to channel and focus negative energy and thoughts. 7 years later, I found she was right.

Mediation can seem overly spiritual or complicated but it’s beyond simple. At its core, meditation is resting the mind and attaining a state of consciousness that is completely different from your day-to-day mental state. Meditation is all about looking inward, processing your feelings, and confronting your current situation.

Erasing stress, revamping your energy, and sharpening your mind are a few key benefits of meditation, and from experience, these are things that college students really benefit from.

I suggest watching this video to get a general idea of what mediation is.

Now, here are five tips to jump start your meditation journey and your path to mindfulness:

1. Find The Time & Place

A huge part of successful meditating is being at peace and it’s nearly impossible to be at peace if your environment is janky.

I recommend choosing a corner or room where others don’t enter frequently. Make sure that you don’t hear any noises from outside there.

Lighting can also affect how you meditate, rooms that are too bright can distract you and darkness could push you to fall asleep. 

I also try to sit on a pillow or comfy chair which helps the body remain calm. A moderately cool room also helps to relax your body.

Scented candles and incense help as a bonus! I prefer lavender and sage scents because they aren’t too heavy. 

Additionally, soothing music or a guided meditation program can help facilitate deep meditation. This video is a great guide for beginners.

Timing is also important. Do not try to rush meditation. Although I only meditate for around 15-30 minutes a day, I make sure I have an hour block in my schedule. This may not work for the busy college student so try meditating before bed or meditating for longer periods 2-3 times a week.

At the end of the day, good meditation is developed when you practice frequently.

2. Focus On Your Breathing

One of the most difficult aspects of meditation is maintaining a proper, focused state of mind. When first meditating my mind wandered frequently; I would check my phone, twist my hair, and get very frustrated.

Meditation requires solely focusing on the present moment and concentrating on breathing if the best way to facilitate that.

I suggest counting the number of breaths that you inhale and exhale, this will lead you to the present moment. Take a long inhale (4 seconds) and then an exhale where you feel your body fall. Focus on the rise and fall of your chest and sensation flowing through your nostrils.

And if your mind starts to wander or if you get distracted, it’s ok. Focusing on breathing will bring you back to the present.

3. Try Using An App

There are hundreds of apps offering tips and assistance when it comes to meditating. My friends and family have told me these come in handy when you start out because there is less stress on being in control of your meditation.

From using the apps myself, I find that they help prevent distractions and give me a time frame and routine for my mediation.

Insight Timer has been my favorite for on the go meditation and it’s completely customizable. This meditation app features over 4,000 guided meditations and it’s free. The app also features hundreds of meditation music tracks.

Look around the app store to find one that suits your needs and also check out this post by fellow Trojans 360 blogger Lilly Kate Diaz for apps that help with stress and anxiety.

4. Let Your Thoughts Go (Kinda)

I mentioned previously the importance of focusing on the present and counting breaths. Letting your thoughts go it another way to stay present while mediating. As you’re counting your breaths, thoughts will come to you.

“Do I have any assignments due tomorrow” or “What time does Cava close” and countless other “what ifs” will enter your mental space.

Just let them go. This does not mean trying to block your thoughts or emptying your mind but being at peace with them and not letting them distract you. A huge part of being conscious is being aware of your thoughts. Meditating allows you to do this.  

The more you meditate the better you’ll get at it

5. Build Your Practice

As I said before, you get better at meditating by doing it every day. After I finished my yoga sessions at a young age, I started meditating for ten minutes a day, and gradually built up my practice.

Taking ten minutes to meditate in the morning or before bed will increase your awareness, and concentration throughout the day or it will help you sleep better. Mediation is like exercise, we learn more about ourselves, our bodies and our mental state. With a little practice, the distractions of our thoughts drift away and we focus on ourselves.

Happy Meditating! 

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