University life tends to be full of carefree moments and habits that seem normal during those years, but once you move on, some of these behaviors might not serve you well in the real world. It’s fine to enjoy them while they last, but as this article lays out, if you still have the following university habits, you probably need to grow up.
Living on Instant Noodles
Anyone who went to university relied on instant noodles for meals at one point as they were cheap, filling, and ideal for late-night study sessions where you didn’t have much time. However, that’s not at all a sustainable way to eat as an adult. A balanced diet is important, and as Healthline points out, instant noodles or ramen are packed with tons of salt and carbs and very little else.
Sleeping Until Noon
Back in uni, staying in bed until midday was easy when you didn’t have morning lectures, but a regular sleep schedule is key in adulthood. Consistently waking up late can affect your productivity and leave you feeling groggy, so if you still live like this, it’s time to develop a routine that includes a reasonable wake-up time.
Avoiding Housework
Most uni students leave their dishes in the sink and ignore that huge pile of laundry until it’s truly unavoidable, a bad habit that is undeniably quite acceptable in student housing. However, this doesn’t fly in adult life; you need to keep a tidy living space as part of taking care of yourself. It’s also simply about respecting your environment, for which a little effort goes a long way.
Procrastinating on Everything
If you didn’t put off your assignments and coursework until the last minute, did you even go to university? Some students even find that this worked positively for their motivation, but let’s be real–they’re probably lying to themselves. In reality, procrastination usually leads to missed opportunities, lower quality of work, and unnecessary stress, so if you still procrastinate daily, it’s time to get a grip.
Going Out Every Night
It was concerningly normal to hit the pubs and clubs regularly during university, but it’s a completely unsustainable lifestyle for grown adults. Constant partying can take a toll on your health, finances, and productivity, so it might be time for you to find a balance between socializing and other aspects of life.
Binge-Watching Shows Instead of Sleeping
We used to spend countless nights binge-watching the latest series instead of getting proper rest as university students, a habit that was hard to shake. Looking back, this wasn’t good at all–lack of sleep affects your mood, health, and performance at work. Therefore, setting limits on screen time and prioritizing sleep is very important in adulthood, helping you feel more refreshed and focused during the day.
Living Paycheck to Paycheck
It was often unavoidable to scrape through paycheck to paycheck (or through student loans and borrowing cash from your parents) during uni, but managing your finances is crucial in adulthood. Relying on payday loans or running out of money before the end of the month can lead to long-term financial issues. Budgeting, saving, and planning for the future are important steps to financial stability.
Pulling All-Nighters
As we mentioned earlier, university procrastination often led to staying up all night to cram for exams, a terrible habit that no doubt did us more damage than good. Lack of sleep affects concentration and overall health, so if you’re still pulling all-nighters, it’s time to grow up and start planning your time better.
Skipping Breakfast
As the expression goes, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” yet skipping breakfast may have been your default during busy uni days. However, that’s not a habit that supports a healthy lifestyle, so you should have long-since dropped it. Breakfast kick starts your metabolism and provides the energy needed for the day ahead–don’t underestimate how important that is.
Keeping the Student Wardrobe
Do you still wear hoodies and trackies like you did back in uni? There was something cozy about doing this, especially for lectures, but in the real world, dressing appropriately for your environment matters. Put some money into building a versatile, comfortable wardrobe that suits different occasions, and you’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it makes to how you’re perceived.
Borrowing Money From Friends
During your uni days, you most likely had to rely on friends for loans once in a while, but you should have soon discovered that this wasn’t a sustainable approach to managing your finances as an adult. Borrowing money can strain relationships and create unnecessary stress, so if you’re still depending on your friends to stay afloat, it’s time you develop financial independence and begin living within your means.
Relying on Caffeine for Energy
Most people drink a cup of coffee or two a day, but this is a far stretch from the copious energy drinks we once drank during university. Sure, it kept us going during all-nighters, but you no doubt remember the havoc this reaped on your stomach. It’s just not healthy, so if you’ve still not grown out of this habit, it’s time you do so and start depending more on plain old sleep.
Ignoring Health Appointments
For some reason, putting off doctor or dentist appointments because they felt inconvenient was common in university, but now that we’ve grown up, we should be taking care of our health. Regular check-ups and preventive care are essential for long-term well-being, so start making health a priority now to prevent bigger problems down the line.
Living in Chaos
A cluttered living space might have felt normal in university accommodation, but maintaining order can make a big difference in your day-to-day life. A tidy environment can improve focus, reduce stress, and create a more comfortable living space. Regularly organizing and cleaning up helps maintain a sense of control.
Expecting Things to Come Easily
Above all, university life has a tendency to instill a mindset into students of quick fixes and easy wins, but real-life challenges often require persistence and effort. Expecting success without putting in the necessary work will almost always lead to disappointment. So, if you haven’t already, it’s time to start embracing hard work, patience, and dedication on your journey to achieve your goals.