By Itzel Cortes

Whether you are a faculty member, a first-year college student, or someone who has been at Lehman for a while, we’re seeking self-improvement. There are innumerable podcasts, books, and videos on self-improvement, each presented by a different fitness guru or motivational speaker giving lifestyle advice. This can feel burdensome when many of us are unsure of where to start or even who to listen to.  James Clear, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller "Atomic Habits," states, “The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision.” He asserts that if you’re struggling to change your habits, the problem isn’t you—it's your system.  

Before emptying your wallet to invest in the latest acclaimed self-help book, it's important to backtrack and think: Which system or method would work for me? It's crucial to reflect on the kind of person you are and choose systems that work with you, not against you. Nobody contests the fact that self-improvement can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be so complicated.

As students and faculty of Lehman, why not utilize the resources in our vicinity? Professor Beauty Kolade, who teaches the First Year Seminar at Lehman College, was once a student at Lehman herself. As a student, Kolade held a 3.94 GPA and secured jobs and internships using campus resources. She recommends the following to students still adjusting to college life: “Networking is the number one piece of advice I give Lehman students. The college experience is inevitable. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. At some point, you’re going to have to face it. Why not face it now?” 

While it is important to stay disciplined, Kolade also says that we should remember to practice self-care whenever needed. “Take breaks. Hang out with other students to chill and chat with them. Just remember to take a step back to take care of yourself.”

Regarding productivity and self-improvement, it's all about finding a method that suits you. We are all individuals with different needs and ways of learning. Some prefer using social media to traditional methods of organization. Some people like Ashmini Hiralall, may use multiple techniques such as calendars and to-do lists. 

Ashmini Hiralall, Director of Lehman’s Wellness Program, suggests this to students having difficulty concentrating: "It’s natural to get distracted. Creating the right environment is important to control distractions. Sometimes, that means leaving my phone in another room to prevent temptation. If I’m working on a long project, I schedule 15-minute breaks after an hour or two of working - It allows me to take a break without feeling guilty and return to my task.” 

What Hiralall emphasizes in terms of guilt-free studying is pivotal for us as college students. Beating for not being a perfect student is never okay. Taking care of yourself after a hard day is liberating and crucial to a healthy school-life balance. Another piece of valuable advice from Hiralall is to prioritize tasks and take advantage of commute time to get things done. 

Shannon Mensah, Wellness Center Program Coordinator, has an impressive track record: returning to college full–time after ten years, running a nutrition blog with 50,000 followers, and advocating for student health and wellness. Her story is truly awe-inspiring and may have many of us wondering how she does it. 

Mensah recommends taking advantage of other Lehman resources, such as time-management workshops and free career development classes, which she has utilized herself. She ensures that she prioritizes tasks, writes down deadlines, and uses study apps she enjoys.

Mensah also gave me a short consultation about my fitness goals and nutrition towards the end of our interview. I have struggled with working out and have been eating the bare minimum since I was a pre-teen. She advised me that nutrition is vital before hitting any fitness goals. Thanks, Shannon!

As a Lehman student or faculty member, try talking to others to see what works for them. Take advantage of the Wellness Center’s resources and the time management, career development, and leadership workshops that Lehman hosts. Visit Lehman’s extensive library and ask the librarians if there are any books on self-improvement. Ask your professor what their college experiences are. 

The resources for us are vast and endless. 

Location: Old Gym Building, Room B007