El blog del Profe. Adrián

The Power of Good Habits To Boost Your University Life

University life is a stage of change and challenges that can often generate stress and emotional imbalances in young people. To address this issue, an applied research project was carried out at Mondragon University Mexico, with students from the fifth semester of the degree in Administration and Strategic Management and the degree in Psychology. This study population, composed of 37 students, had an age range between 19 and 22 years. The project was chosen to be with students of this degree since they are very close to becoming fifth-semester students, where they have the challenge of carrying out professional practices in the morning and continue attending their classes in the afternoon, which usually generates an imbalance in their lives. The objective is to create a certain level of awareness in them so that they have better tools to manage the stage they are about to start.

The research identified the predominance of unhealthy habits that negatively affect students, influencing their decision-making and various areas of their lives. The necessary approaches emerged from the research included the academic issue, physical exercise, interpersonal relationships, and work/own business/professional experience. Likewise, various areas of opportunity were identified, such as a lack of time or poor organization of it, a lack of commitment and discipline, a lack of enthusiasm, continuous sleep deprivation, an unhealthy diet, excessive time on the cell phone screen, stress that generates little creativity, over-thinking, and repressing emotions.

With this information in mind, a healthy habit implementation program titled «The Power of Good Habits to Boost Your University Life» was designed.

This program consisted of two parts: an information session and a two-week practical challenge. The habits proposed for the challenge included:

1. Weekly schedule with daily follow-up.
2. List of school tasks with daily follow-up.
3. Assign a space in the schedule for daily physical exercise.
4. Maintain regular communication with interpersonal relationships.
5. Consume 2.6 liters of water per day.
6. Limit cell phone screen time to a maximum of 3 hours per day.
7. Practice a daily activity that generates pleasure.
8. Register daily thoughts and emotions.
9. Practice daily meditation.
10. Learn something new every day.
11. Sleep a minimum of 7 hours a day.

Despite the students’ optional participation, significant results were obtained. Of the 37 students initially involved in the research, 25 responded to the research questionnaire and 14 enrolled in the practical challenge. However, only 5 students completed the process and actively participated in the challenge.

The average compliance during the first week of the challenge was 54.38%, while in the second week it slightly decreased to 51.18%, obtaining an overall average of 52.78%. These results indicate an initial commitment from the participants, although they also point out areas for improvement in the implementation and follow-up of the program.

Despite the limitations found, such as low participation and compliance with the challenge, these findings underline the importance of continuing to develop strategies to promote healthy habits among university students. This project provides a solid foundation for future research and intervention programs aimed at improving the quality of life of students during their university experience.