Taking care of your health and well-being is essential to ensuring your mind, body and soul is at ease. This helps you have a better outlook on life and helps you get through day-to-day tasks. Oftentimes, we get so caught up in all the stressors and task that come up, we forget to take a second to prioritise our health and well-being. 

So, here are some simple things you can do to make sure you’re in top shape to handle whatever life throws at you. 

Getting enough sleep is vital to staying healthy. Good quality sleep puts you in a better mood and gives your body time to rest and recover from the day. Plus, there are endless health benefits that come from good sleep: reducing stress, improving brain function (concentration and memory), lowering blood pressure and improving your immune system.

Next, make sure you’re drinking about 2.5-3.5 litres of water a day. Giving your body enough water is crucial as it helps to regulate body temperature, keep your joints lubricated, deliver enough nutrients to your cells, help prevent infections and keep your organs functioning properly. Keeping yourself well-hydrated also helps you sleep better and improve your mood. 

Eating healthy doesn’t always mean strict diets and cutting out anything and everything. It is more about having balanced meals and consuming fats and sugar in moderation. This means trying to avoid instant noodles every night of the week and ensuring you have a good amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet every day. 

Healthy eating makes your mind, body and soul feel good. It shows that you are taking time to care by being mindful of what you’re putting into your body. 

Taking the time to sit down and journal out your worries, anxieties or even just thoughts for the day; just let your thoughts flow out naturally until you have nothing else you want to write. In this modern era, things move so quickly, our thoughts included. Writing things down helps you slow your thoughts and acknowledge them a bit better. 

Journaling is a great way to sit with your thoughts and really be aware of what you’re thinking and how you’re feeling. It’s a moment you can take to connect with yourself again and is a very freeing practice.

Another feature of the world we live in today is the constant communication we have with each other through social media. And while this is great in many ways, it can get overwhelming and distracting. Computer screens and digital devices emit a lot of blue light which can contribute to dry eyes and digital eye strain. 

So, it’s important to take a few minutes or hours a day where you switch off all electronic devices for a bit. You can use this time to read a book or do some gardening or maybe even dance around your room for a bit. Just spend time with yourself, away from the rest of the digital world. 

Meditation and mindfulness practices are a type of mental training that teaches you to slow down your racing thoughts. It offers you the space to let go of negativity and calm both your mind and body. There are many ways to practice mindfulness or meditation, but it generally involves a breathing practice with awareness of the body and mind. 

This type of practice has shown to be super helpful when dealing with mental health issues, stress and worry or even just calming yourself down at the end of the day for better sleep. Either way, trying out this practice is definitely worth it. 

It can seem like all of these habits are too much and too overwhelming but investing even in one of them can help improve your overall well-being. Start small and before you know it these steps will be seamlessly incorporated into your daily routine and you will be on the way towards a better you. 

Taking care of yourself often starts with finding the right living environment, one that you feel like you can thrive in. <a href="https://campuslivingvillages.com/">Campus Living Villages </a>can be that space for you. We have apartments across Australia, so you can really find a location that works. Discover your new lifestyle with us today.

Taking care of yourself is important. Here we have some simple steps you can take to help improve your mind, body and soul. 

How to Take Care of Your Mind, Body & Soul

Sometimes life, university workloads or other circumstances can make you feel overwhelmed and exhausted. In these instances, it can feel like all you want to do is hide from the world under your blanket.&nbsp;

However, as important as it is to feel your emotions, you should also make sure you’re giving your physical and mental health the care and compassion it needs. It can be easy to avoid taking care of yourself when you are feeling low. Here we have a few simple self-care habits that you can take when you are in a bit of a funk.&nbsp;

One of the best and easiest things you can do for yourself is give your face a quick wash. Do it in the morning as you wake up, at any point of the day you’re feeling tired or just before you go to bed for the night. So really, anytime you feel like it. Try to make it a point to wash your face at least once a day!&nbsp;

Feeling water on your skin makes you feel refreshed and slightly more energised. If you’re up to the task, create a small skin care routine. This can even be as simple as spending at least 60 seconds rubbing your cleanser onto your face before washing it off.&nbsp;

Dedicating time to yourself with skin care is a lovely act of kindness you can give yourself.&nbsp;

When you’re feeling burnt out and tired, it can be tempting to live off take away food, instant noodles or forgo eating at all. However, this can actually leave you feeling worse as your body won’t feel nourished. Even if you can’t be bothered making tasty gourmet meals, even the simplest meals can make a difference. 

Breakfast – Toast with Butter, Honey &amp; Cinnamon&nbsp;

All this meal requires is for you to pop your bread into the toaster, spread some butter, honey and cinnamon, and you’re done. All of these ingredients are long-lasting too. If you have left over bread, you can pop them into the freezer to help it last longer.&nbsp;

Lunch/Dinner – One Pot Soup&nbsp;

Soup is a great comfort food. And if you want something nourishing, just get some vegetable stock and your favourite veggies. Chuck them all into a pot and season with your choice of condiments or spices and bring to the boil.&nbsp;

Getting sunshine is vital and great for your mind, body and soul. Sunshine gives you Vitamin D which can help protect against inflammation, lowers blood pressure, helps muscles and improves your brain function. Being out in the sun has also been said to release serotonin in the brain, the hormone associated with mood boosting and feelings of calm.&nbsp;

Try to get in the early morning sunlight for Vitamin D and all other benefits. You can go for a walk or even just step outside for 10 minutes to feel the sun rays on your skin. Just don't forget your sun protection!

Finally, it’s important that you don’t go through this on your own. If you are feeling down, tired and overwhelmed, talk to your friends, family, lecturers, classmates or get in touch with organisations like <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">BeyondBlue</a> or use&nbsp;<a href="https://www.headspace.com/">Headspace</a> to help manage your stress.&nbsp;

When we are worried and sad, it can often feel like we’re alone. So, it’s important to reach out to the people around us for support. From tagging your friends in memes to organising a facetime call with your mum, any step you take towards loved ones is a meaningful one.&nbsp;

Build Your Support System at Campus Living Villages&nbsp;

Moving to a new place also means moving to a new community and trusted circle. At Campus Living Villages we have <a href="https://campuslivingvillages.com/">accommodation across the world</a>, that not only gives you a house, it gives you a home. When you live with us, you get the opportunity to meet people from across the globe and you will always have someone around to help whenever you need it.&nbsp;

Sometimes life, university workloads or other circumstances can make you feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Here we have a few simple self-care habits that you can take when you are in a bit of a funk. 

Simple Self-Care Habits to Help You Take Care of Yourself

Finally moving out of home is a big step and an exciting one at that. Moving out of home gives you a sense of freedom, independence and the space for you to grow into your own person. It is a chance for you to finally develop your identity and experience being a proper adult.&nbsp;

However, it can also be overwhelming and slightly scary. As wonderful as it is to be in your own space, you are leaving behind the comfort and security you are so used to. Here, we have some essential skills that will help you in your journey to adulthood—especially if it’s your first time living out of home.&nbsp;

#1 Financial Literacy &amp; Managing Your Money&nbsp;

Moving into your own place means getting to create the home of your dreams, but there is also a lot of financial management involved. You now have to pay your rent, utilities, make sure you have enough money for groceries and essentials as well as making sure you have some money leftover for recreational activities.&nbsp;

To make sure you are on top of everything, create a budgeting sheet and make note of when bills and utilities are due. If you are able to, consider a direct debit system to make sure you don’t miss out on any payments. Keeping track of finances is a must-have skill to ensure you don’t over spend.&nbsp;

If you are renting or living in student accommodation, you don’t have to worry too much about maintenance as it is the duty of your landlord or service provider to sort out most issues. Regardless, it is still useful to understand basic home maintenance practices.&nbsp;

It can also be handy to keep a toolkit and first aid kit in your home to ensure you are prepared for any situation.&nbsp;

Living at home you might have only had to do a few basic chores. However, once you have a place of your own or are living with other people, it’s important you take steps to ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of your home.&nbsp;

Every household will have different cleaning needs, but the key step is to establish a weekly and monthly cleaning routine. For a smoother process, try cleaning room by room to give yourself some structure and the ability to take short breaks between each room.&nbsp;

Some simple ways you can reduce the hassle of cleaning up is to clean as you go. Make sure you tidy the kitchen once you’re done cooking, remove any dirt or stray hairs when you’re done with the shower, give your home a little wipe down once you’re done having guests over.&nbsp;

This way you won’t have a long list of things to clean when your weekly routine comes around.

Laundry is one of those chores that can seem daunting, but it is inescapable. Once you know what to do, it’ll become a simpler process.&nbsp;

The first step is to ensure you’re reading the labels on your clothes, especially if they are made from any fabric that isn’t cotton. Some fabrics are dry clean only, while others can only be washed with cold water. Take note of these warnings to ensure you don’t damage any of your clothing items.&nbsp;

The next thing to be aware of is how often you should be washing to avoid over wash. Professionals suggest jeans and outwear, such as jackets only need to be washed after two to three wears. And your bed sheets can go as long as two weeks before needing a wash.&nbsp;

Once you are aware of how you need to do washing and how often it needs to be done, you can create a laundry schedule that works for your closet!&nbsp;

Out of Home Living Made Simple with Campus Living Villages&nbsp;

These are merely some of the life skills you learn and develop when living out of home. If you want to be part of a community that is going through the same journey as you, why not opt for living at one of the stunning C<a href="https://campuslivingvillages.com/">ampus Living Villages</a>&nbsp;properties across the globe.&nbsp;

You’ll have the space to be independent, while also having the community support of many others to make the experience much more enjoyable. &nbsp;

In this article we have some essential skills that will help you in your journey to adulthood—especially if it’s your first time living out of home. 

First Time Living Out of Home? The Life Skills You Must Know!

Moving into your own room is very exciting! You finally have your own little space to call home. There are many easy, affordable ways for you to decorate that space and make it yours! We’ve collected some handy tips and tricks to help unleash your inner interior designer.&nbsp;

The first step is having an idea of what you want your new room to look like! Pinterest is the perfect source for inspiration. Browse boards to find a theme or colour scheme that you enjoy. Or if you already know what you want, search that particular aesthetic to see what other people have done.&nbsp;

When you have an idea of what you’re after, it makes shopping for supplies, sheets and decorations much easier. Plus, you won’t be too tempted to grab random items that look intriguing on the shelf.&nbsp;

The walls of dorm rooms and accommodations can look quite bare and uninviting. One of the best ways to quickly get some colour and excitement up is with a tapestry. You can easily find them online and there are tapestries of all sorts available!&nbsp;

Whether you like old school tapestries with beautiful mosaic patterns, or ones with colourful landscapes or even ones that have painted portraits on them – there’s an option for every aesthetic. Adding a tapestry to your wall will instantly bring a little bit of personality to any room.&nbsp;

Most rooms come with the standard light on the ceiling. One way to make your space more exciting and cosier is to invest in fairy lights, projection lights or lamps.&nbsp;

Fairy lights are a great way to make your space feel warm, cosy and inviting. If you want something enchanting and other-worldly, you can get a star projector night light. Or if you want to create an elegant and classic vibe, salt lamps are a great one for your room to have a warm, amber globe.&nbsp;

Mood lighting will make nights in your room fun, exciting and feel like you’ve created a little enclave of comfort for yourself.&nbsp;

Storage boxes are a great way to conserve space in your room! You can use them to store shoes and socks so they can be kept under the bed, or even just to divide the space up in your cabinets for better organisation.&nbsp;

When you manage to store your things properly, you’ll have more space around the room for little knick knacks and souvenir items. These little things are a great way to display your personality and show off your quirks and interests.&nbsp;

Adding greenery to your bedroom is one of the best ways to lift the energy of the room! If you don’t trust yourself to take care of living plants, there are many artificial plants available that you can use as a placeholder.&nbsp;

One of the most cost-efficient ways to decorate your room is with cool paintings and beautiful posters of your favourite band, TV shows or artists. Not only does it fill your walls with wonder and inspiration, it’s a great taste of your personality to anyone who walks into your space!&nbsp;

You can easily print them out yourself at the printers or order some online. If you’re willing to make the extra effort there are heaps of vintage stores and op-shops that can provide some fascinating finds.&nbsp;

Find your home at Campus Living Villages&nbsp;

At <a href="https://campuslivingvillages.com/clv-life">Campus Living Villages</a>, we offer accommodation in a range of countries. No matter which part of the world you choose to explore, you can make your home with us.&nbsp;

Moving into your own room is very exciting! Here are some handy tips and tricks to help unleash your inner interior designer. 

Personalise Your New Room: 6 Cheap & Easy Ways to Decorate Your Space

Making the decision to pursue your studies abroad is an exciting, brave and at the same time overwhelming path to take. However, it is definitely a decision that is worthwhile. The things you experience, the people you meet and the places you go will give you a brand-new perspective, not just on the world but also on yourself.&nbsp;

First, take a moment to applaud yourself for taking the first step and pushing yourself to try something new and for many, something outside of your comfort zone. Then, pick yourself up and get ready to step into a new beginning.

Now that you’ve finally made your way abroad, here’s a few pieces of advice that can help you make the most of the time you have while studying abroad.&nbsp;

Your experience abroad is once in a lifetime. We are fortunate to live in the digital age where documenting these experiences has never been easier. As great as it is to live in the moment and put away your camera, don’t forget to capture the moments that you want to remember forever.&nbsp;

Sometimes just a little photo of the view from your dorm room window can bring back a thousand different memories. And little videos of your time with friends or walking down your favourite street can bring a smile to your face even years down the line.&nbsp;

These little captured moments are a great way to reflect on your life and see how your experiences abroad have shaped the future you now have.&nbsp;

Being in a completely new place is probably overwhelming, and it will take some getting used to. But the more you put yourself out there, the easier it will be to adapt, and you will learn that you are capable of doing so much more then you realise!&nbsp;

Take a chance and join clubs, agree to go on a group hike or even organise a fun outing with some of your classmates/dorm mates. Even if it’s something you wouldn’t usually do, it’s good to at least give it an attempt. If the experience turns out to be unenjoyable, you might still learn something about yourself. There’s a silver lining to all new experiences that will help make you a better, stronger and more well-rounded individual.

Be okay with doing things on your own&nbsp;

There’s so much to see, so much to do and so many places to go when you are living abroad. And there will be many times when you might not have friends that want to do the same things as you, and that’s okay.&nbsp;

There’s a special kind of feeling you get when you experience things on your own. Whether it’s a trip to the local museum, a morning at a pretty café or the makers’ market that’s open for just one weekend – these are all things that can help you learn to enjoy your own company.&nbsp;

If you keep waiting for someone else to do things with you, the opportunity could quickly pass by. If you want to do something, just go for it!&nbsp;

While doing things on your own is great, you want to have a balance and take the chance to mingle and meet new people. This is a great opportunity to learn about different cultures and lived experiences of the people you come across.&nbsp;

Even a conversation with the owner of your local convenience store can be eye-opening or even life changing. You’re in a part of the world that you’ve never experienced before, so take this opportunity to make your mark and build connections that are sure to last a lifetime.&nbsp;

Start your adventure abroad with Campus Living Villages&nbsp;

At <a href="https://campuslivingvillages.com/">Campus Living Villages</a>, we have many individuals from all across the world that have decided to take that leap of faith and experience the wonders of studying abroad. If you would like to live with a like-minded community of inspiring individuals, check out our <a href="https://campuslivingvillages.com/clv-life">accommodation options</a> today!

Thinking of studying abroad? Here’s a few pieces of advice that can help you make the most of the time you have while studying abroad. 

How to Make the Most of Your Time Studying Abroad

The past few months saw a major shift in the way we operate and our day-to-day routines. Instead of going into class or catching the bus to one of the local cafés, we now spend most of our time at home.

For those that are studying, this change can be quite overwhelming and difficult. You might find yourself really productive on some days and unable to do anything on others. Studying during a crisis is difficult and things may feel out of your control. However, there are a few steps you can take to help you study better and stay motivated even in trying times.

Your brain can’t focus if you have a lot of pent up emotions and feelings. It’s important for you to name your feelings, sit with them and tend to them. It’s ok to feel sad, frustrated, annoyed or anything else. Be honest with yourself about what you’re truly feeling. Once you acknowledge your emotions, you are giving yourself permission and the understanding to start taking steps towards making yourself feel better.

Be kind to yourself and don’t put push yourself too far. It’s ok if you are struggling. Reach out to those around you or even browse online resources from mental health platforms like&nbsp;<a href="https://headspace.org.au/" target="_blank">headspace</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/" target="_blank">Beyond Blue</a>, to better understand and overcome these feelings. Because remember, these feelings, just like everything else, will pass.

When stuck at home or in your room for long periods of time, it can be tempting to sleep in or take multiple naps throughout the day. However, it’s important that even in these circumstances you stick to a daily routine. It doesn’t need to be strict—just add small steps that can help guide your day.

Set a wake-up time every day that includes a few elements to start your morning: wash your face, make tea and take a moment to meditate or sit in silence. Allocate time for your lunch and create a rough guide of how you would like to spend your day. For example, mornings could be dedicated to lectures and after lunch is a split between working on assignments and tutorials.

You can tailor your schedule to fit your lifestyle and what works best for you — the most important thing is to have one. It might be tough to stick to it at first, but when you attempt it every day, it becomes easier.

Having your workspace be clean and without mess can go a long way at helping your productivity. Scientists from the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute have found ways to show that our brains like organisation and order; having constant visual reminders of disorder and mess can cause our brains to have trouble focusing.

Messy workspaces can be incredibly distracting and will likely cause you to procrastinate. A clean workspace without clutter and ample room to spread out will give you the deep focus you need to get some studying done.

Sometimes, we can get too involved in the work we are doing and that too can be a bad thing. Not moving about and constantly working can cause you to feel tired and even get burnt out quickly.

Remember to schedule in short breaks to watch an episode of your favourite TV show or make some homemade bubble tea. Plus, because you’re spending most of your day sitting and in front of a computer screen, it’s important to get active with some form of physical activity. Even if you’re stuck at home, there’s heaps of free videos online for yoga, home workouts, dance class, or you can join our virtual workout sessions as part of our online ResLife program — the choices are endless.

Tip #5 | Stay Connected with Friends &amp; Family

Even though you’re mostly indoors and not allowed to socialise, you can still stay connected to your friends and family. In fact, now more than ever it’s important to maintain those social connections and feelings of belonging. Schedule in time to video call your family members, organise<a href="https://zoom.us/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Zoom</a>&nbsp;catch ups with your best friends or maybe even join an online book club or discussion room! Interacting with other people can help you feel less lonely and help give you something to look forward to in your days. This way you can dedicate time to studying, knowing you have a fun activity planned for later.

We have launched a virtual ResLife program at Campus Living Villages to keep our residents connected and to give them an opportunity to socialise. This includes a series of daily events such as virtual movie nights, e-cooking classes and online arts and crafts workshops – all of which they can participate in from their rooms.

Don’t Hesitate to Reach Out for Support when You Need It

If you find that you are struggling to keep yourself motivated and focus on studying, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Whether it’s from your course mates, your lecturers or your loved ones.

At&nbsp;<a href="http://groupclv.com/">Campus Living Villages,</a>&nbsp;we have a team of Residential Assistants and a whole community to help you should you need it! We will get through these uncertain times together, so don’t hesitate to talk to us if you need to.

Can’t seem to focus on your studies while in isolation? Campus Living Villages has a few tips to help you stay motivated when you’re stuck indoors.

Studying During Isolation: Tips To Stay Motivated When Stuck Indoors

A global pandemic outbreak was probably the last thing on your mind when you were getting ready to commence your university studies for the year. There were far more pressing issues at hand as you tried to fit all your classes into two 8-hour days and attempted to navigate the ‘mandatory vs recommended’ textbook list.

As the situation developed and unfolded around the world, the Tertiary Education sector had to evolve with it. With many universities delivering lecture recordings online and using e-learning platforms for assignment submissions, students who had not yet arrived on campus were urged to ‘stay home’ for the time being.

At <a href="https://campuslivingvillages.com/">Campus Living Villages</a>, we have remained open across all of our Villages across the world. We have a full team of staff on-site to support our resident community as they navigated this temporary ‘new normal’.

It has been a tough Semester for many of the student community who have been stuck at home e-learning, trying to manage group work online, while also trying to get enough participation credits for their tutorials.

With some restrictions starting to ease, many of you have probably started to think about your plans for Semester 2, 2020. With universities committed to running online classes for the foreseeable future and no date set for when on-campus classrooms are open, there’s another way you can begin to enjoy campus life!

With our <a href="https://starrezfilehosting.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/COVID-19-Cancellation-Policy-2021.pdf">Flexible Booking Policy</a>, you can secure your room now, but if things change at Uni or you can’t make it to campus due to Travel Restrictions, you can cancel or change your booking up to 14 days before it starts.

We’ve partnered with each University and are located right on campus to make your experience at Uni as seamless as possible. At our Villages, you’ll find a safe and secure place to live, with a supportive on-site team who are there for you at any time of the day. We know that circumstances are always changing, and it can be hard to decide right now, so if this is you – our Flexible Booking Policy is there for you.

Why move into on-campus accommodation when the campus is still closed?

We’ve been seeing lots more students return to our Villages since COVID-19 numbers started to decline. The overwhelming feedback we’ve heard is students are keen to live in their own space and are excited for a change of scene away from mum and dad. It’s not surprising! A fresh new space that’s all your own can be a great way to re-invigorate your studies.

Even though campus might be closed, living in <a href="http://camuslivingvillages.com/australia/">student accommodation</a> is a great way to build connections with other students, even while social distancing. Over the past few months, Campus Living Villages has developed a variety of virtual ResLife activities, events and workshops for our in-house residents. Activities range from virtual movie nights to delivering care packages and ready-to-bake goods, arts &amp; crafts e-workshops and even online cooking classes! We are also taking care of our residents by sourcing ‘Grab &amp; Go’ food banks, scheduling virtual yoga classes and looking after their mental wellbeing. As social distancing restrictions end, we’re transitioning those activities into great opportunities to meet new people and socialise in person.

If you are worried or concerned about social distancing measures in an on-campus environment, don’t worry – we have a safe system in place, based on both government-issued and Department of Health guidelines.

Talk to us about your options to live on campus.

If you are ready to ease yourself into campus life and are looking for a safe environment to meet new friends and other like-minded people, we’re ready for you! At Campus Living Villages, we have an experienced team and a whole community here to help you settle into Uni life and navigate these uncertain times.

Don’t hesitate to talk to one of our friendly team members if you have any questions or need any clarification!

Ready for campus life but unsure where to start? Campus Living Villages has a Flexible Booking Policy to help you secure your room in an uncertain time.

Sick Of Living At Home? Here's How To Plan Your Return To Campus! | Campus Living Villages

Sick Of Living At Home? Here's How To Plan Your Return To Campus!

One of the most difficult parts of social distancing and isolation is the lack of human contact and connection. For many of us, we cherish those little moments with friends and family — the coffee catch ups after a tough day at uni, a fun house party to celebrate the end of the week or even just a run in with a friend you haven’t seen in a while.

It can be tough spending so much of your time stuck inside and having no contact with faces you used to see every day. It can be easy to slip into feelings of loneliness and sadness. However, thanks to technology there are many ways to socialise and connect with your favourite people while still maintaining appropriate social distancing practices.

One of the best and easiest ways to spend time with others online is to watch movies, your favourite TV shows or even YouTube videos together. There are many different platforms that allow you to watch things together at the same time. Netflix launched a Chrome extension called <a href="https://www.netflixparty.com/">Netflix Party</a> that allows that, or you can even use video call platforms like <a href="https://www.kastapp.co/">Kast</a> by sharing your screen and computer audio. This has been a popular virtual activity amongst residents with <a href="http://groupclv.com/au/murdoch-university-village/">Murdoch University Village</a> in Perth hosting weekly movie nights on Kast paired with ‘Grab &amp; Go’ type movie snacks at reception to go with the event!

Pick a few friends and try to schedule time weekly to watch a movie. You can go through the entire Studio Ghibli range or pick your favourite genre of movies and start your very own isolation film club! It’s a great way to stay connected with friends by stimulating interesting conversations and banter that you’re used to having in real life.

Online gaming has always been a great way for friends to interact in the online world. There’s a wide selection of video games that allow for real-time multiplayer interaction, for example <a href="https://mariokarttour.com/en-GB">Mario Kart</a>, <a href="https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/">Minecraft</a> or <a href="https://animal-crossing.com/">Animal Crossing</a>.

Now there’s even the options to play classic card games or board games online. You can use the <a href="https://houseparty.com/">Houseparty</a> app to host a virtual gathering with up to eight friends and play games like Heads Up, Cards Against Humanity and more! You can even find <a href="https://skribbl.io/">online Pictionary</a>, a <a href="https://www.randomtriviagenerator.com/">random trivia generator</a> or online bingo! Your options of fun online games are endless.

This is a great activity for when you’re missing your friends or family. Get them all online for some friendly competition, that’s sure to get many laughs and good times.

One of the best ways to release stress and blow off some steam is dancing! Use Spotify’s playlist collaboration feature to build the perfect dancing playlist with your friends. Then, get on a video call and spend your night (morning or afternoon) dancing your sorrows away.

This is great way to spend time with friends and get in some exercise. Two things that are said to increase happiness and release those feel good hormones in your brain.

Plan a Virtual Visit to Your Favourite Museum or Gallery

If you’re wanting to do something a bit more stimulating, many art galleries and museums across the world have introduced virtual tours of their exhibitions. Pick a time for you and a friend to get on a call and immerse yourself into the stunning world of artists, designers and historians from all parts of the globe.

Here are some of our favourite virtual museums and galleries:

This is a great way to have fun and interesting discussions and conversations with your friends even if you’re both just lying on the couch in pyjamas. Take this once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the world from the comfort of your own home.

As Humans We Can Always Find Ways to Connect, We Need Each Other to Survive

Even if things are different now, there’s still many things we can do to receive the comfort and joy of our loved one’s presence. And it’s in these times that we put in more effort to connect and stay in touch with those that are important to us.

If you’re missing the social interaction with friends and family, here are some fun and interactive ways you can connect with them in the online world.

Ways To Socialise While You're Practicing Social Distancing & Isolation | Campus Living Villages

Ways To Socialise While You're Practicing Social Distancing & Isolation

Sending your child off to University can be an emotional time for parents. And although they may live in a different postcode, city or even country (at least during term time), you never stop worrying about them.

However old or independent they are, your child’s safety and well-being is your number one priority. And it’s natural of course that you want to make sure they live in a safe place throughout their time at University.

At Campus Living Villages, we understand those concerns. That’s why we go the extra mile to make sure that can relax knowing that your child is safe with us.

So, what do we offer that your average&nbsp;<a href="http://groupclv.com/">student accommodation</a>&nbsp;doesn’t?

Our campuses are well-lit, and we have hands-on security staff on site 24/7. Whether you’re looking for Student accommodation near The University of Sydney or accommodation near Murdoch University, Perth campus you can rest assured that the site is 100% safe, no matter what time of night our students get home.

We have Wi-Fi available across all our campuses 24/7. This means that you can reach your child on their devices!. So, no matter how useless your child is at paying their phone bill or topping up their credit, you can rest assured that in the event of an emergency, you can easily get in touch.

We take pride in going the extra mile for our students. That’s why we provide more than just four walls and a bed. In Australia, our V1 – First Year Uni Program is dedicated to helping students make friends, feel at home and excel in their academic and social lives.

With ongoing Resident Assistant (RA) support, videos, blogs and private Facebook groups where they can meet their new housemates and neighbours before even setting foot on campus, we give our students the best possible start to their Uni life. After all, what is student accommodation without the fun and friendship?

In some Universities, we have on-campus accommodation options. This is a particularly fantastic option for first-year students who are unfamiliar with the city or country.

Whether your child is studying a full-on subject with endless hours of lectures, a keen sports enthusiast eager to get involved with various teams, looking to keep the commute to a minimum or just wants to be right in the middle of all the action, they can live safely and securely on campus.

For more information on when to apply for student accommodation, how to apply for student accommodation or for answers to common questions like “when do you move into student accommodation”, “why is student accommodation so expensive”, “what is student accommodation”, “can non students live in student housing” and “what is a residential university”,&nbsp;<a href="https://campuslivingvillages.com/australia">head to our website.</a>

Sending your child off to Uni can be a daunting experience. What should you look for in student accommodation to ensure that they are safe away from home?

The Real Difference In Campus Living Vs Student Accommodation | Campus Living Villages

The Real Difference In Campus Living Vs Student Accommodation

You’re almost at the finish line. You and your student roommates can smell the taste of freedom and victory – but you’ve got half a semester to go! You’re so close but you just need that extra little push to get you through the final few weeks. So what can you do?

As fun as all-night study sessions in your student room is, try to avoid the crazy hours and get yourself into a stable routine. This also includes eating. Try to plan ahead and have proper meals and quality snacks rather than cramming in a sugar rush whenever you’re starting to flag!

Block out time every day for studying and just do it. If you can, try to do your studying in the morning so that you can relax in the afternoon or evening knowing that you’ve done a good day’s work. Quality down-time for your brain is just as important as studying!

Although adding another thing to your schedule may feel counterintuitive, giving yourself time to exercise regularly will help you to study. Exercise releases endorphins which make you feel happy, help you to focus and give you more energy. If you’re cramped up in your private student accommodation all day, go outside for a run or do a strength training routine in the park. That way, you get a good dose of fresh air and Vitamin D at the same time.

As stress levels rise and summer approaches, staying hydrated is extremely important. Of course, drinking plenty of water is a great way to do this but if you struggle to get your daily dose with just plain old water, don’t be afraid to get creative.

Eating fruits like watermelon and pineapple can help keep you hydrated or why not mix it up with some soda water and add a few fresh fruit like lemon, lime or even raspberries?

Though it might be tempting to sit in your&nbsp;<a href="http://groupclv.com/">student living accommodation</a>&nbsp;eating donuts, chips and pizza all the time, try and be kind to your mind and body by eating food that will help you. This doesn’t have to mean eating boring rabbit food non-stop. Delicious foods like dark chocolate and avocado are great for helping you concentrate. Nuts and blueberries are also great for keeping you focused so if you’re prone to snacking, why not keeping a handy bowlful of these next to your desk?

Being cooped up in your student housing accommodation 24/7 is not good for you and will do you no favours in the studying department. So, get out and treat yourself to a dinner at your favourite restaurant with friends once in a while. If you’ve been sticking to your healthy routine all week, enjoy a guilt-free Friday night pizza with friends!

It’s also OK to let your hair down sometimes. And if you’re feeling under the weather, load up on some eggs the next day to get you through your study session! Other home remedies known to keep you switched on are bananas, coconut water and ginger (which is great for nausea). And of course, treat yourself to a nice coffee from your favourite cafe!

Knuckling down for those final few weeks of studying doesn’t have to be horrendous. By planning and creating a healthy routine for yourself, you can achieve a lot more than you would by staying up until 4am!

It’s all about moderation. Make time to study and create a healthy eating routine for yourself but don’t be afraid to indulge in tasty treats and enjoy time with friends. It’s all about finding the right balance. A happy, healthy and rested brain will achieve far more than an over-worked one surviving solely on caffeine and sugar!

You’re almost at the finish line. You’re so close but you just need that extra little push to get you through the final few weeks of uni. So what can you eat to fuel up and make it through exams?

End Of Year Munchies - What To Binge Eat Without Guilt

End Of Year Munchies - What To Binge Eat Without Guilt As You Celebrate Almost Being Done For The Year!

Staying in shape at Uni can be tough. With so many temptations, nay, REASONS to get on the grog and crippling essay deadlines keeping you up all night drinking coffee and consuming sugar like a nutter in your student room share, finding time and motivation to stay awake, let alone exercise, is almost impossible.

But exercise is extremely important for both your mental and physical health. And the great news is, there’s no need to spend hours and hours on a treadmill to keep your mind and body in great shape. Short and effective workouts with weights can also work wonders!

So how can pumping iron get you through Uni?

Between making new friends, keeping up with essay deadlines and cramming for exams, Uni can be a pretty stressful time. And although you might not think of exercise as something fun to do for yourself, it releases endorphins which are hormones that make you feel good. Both cardio and strength training encourage your body to release endorphins, but studies show that strength or weight training encourages your body to release more endorphins than cardio.

Compound exercises like bench press, deadlift and the barbell squat which use multiple muscle groups are the best for releasing endorphins during and after your workout.

&nbsp;You can burn calories in your sleep&nbsp;

Unlike cardio, weight training causes you to keep burning calories long after you’ve left the gym. In fact, you could still be burning calories for up to 38 hours after your workout. Imagine sitting in the library with a coffee and a smug grin because you did a session yesterday and your body is still burning calories!

Of course, this is an obvious one! But we don’t mean that it just makes you stronger in the gym. Lifting weights will make you stronger in every aspect of your life which will make other tasks a little, or a lot, easier! For example, carrying heavy books from your&nbsp;<a href="https://campuslivingvillages.com/australia/sydney">student accommodation in Sydney</a>&nbsp;to your lectures will be less of a slog and annoying life admin like grocery shopping will be a lot easier when you can carry more weight from the supermarket to your student room.

Beauty is indeed on the inside but having a healthy body on the outside helps you feel happy and positive. Exercising regularly and building your strength will help you feel good about the skin that you are in. You don’t have to be a wafer-thin model or an Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonator to be happy but having a healthier body will do wonders for your self-esteem. And seeing yourself getting stronger and able to lift heavier weights as you progress will give you motivation and a sense of satisfaction you never thought possible.

Many people feel intimidated by the gym. But you can get started with weightlifting at home with bodyweight exercises and then add some dumbbells and other weights as you progress.

So, whether you’re living in student accommodation in Perth, cheap student accommodation in Sydney or the Gold Coast, you and your student roommates can get fitter, stronger and healthier in the comfort of your own home.

Did you know, we have 22 locations across Australia so plenty of great student accommodation options to choose from! See the whole list of our campuses&nbsp;<a href="http://groupclv.com/location/australia/">here</a>.

Overall, incorporating strength training into your exercise routine seems like a no brainer. It will reduce stress, help you focus on your studies, give you more energy and make you feel happy. So, what are you waiting for? Get pumping!

Exercise is extremely important for both your mental and physical health. And the great news is short and effective workouts with weights can also work wonders!

Lifting Weights Will Lift Your Mood - How To Get Those Endorphins Flowing

Every parent dreads that inevitable day when their children finally flee the nest. If you’re worried about your child living away from home for the first time, you are definitely not alone.

Letting your child stand on their own two feet can be a daunting experience. And of course, your primary concern is and always will be for their safety and well-being. There isn’t an off switch for being a parent, unfortunately, even if they are no longer sleeping under your roof.

The good news is you can find comfort in knowing that other parents feel exactly the same.

Susie Caldersmith wasn’t looking forward to sending her 17-year old daughter off to Uni. In fact, they were dead-set against the idea of her living away from home during her studies. But after visiting a Campus Living Village, seeing the facilities and meeting the staff, she changed her mind, so much so that she herself fancied moving in!

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC749UIei4s">Watch this video</a> and see what helped make Susie ready to let her daughter live away from home.

Letting your kids grow up and become independent is never easy. But with Campus Living Villages, your child is in a safe place.

We want to make sure that all our parents are just as confident and comfortable with the living arrangements as our students are. We take pride in providing our students with the comforts of home so that they can excel in their studies whilst also socialising and meeting other students from all over the world. And with well-lit campus grounds and round-the-clock security on hand, you can rest assured that all our students are taken care of.

So sit back, relax, grab a glass of wine and enjoy the peace and quiet of your clean, tidy and teenager-free house!

Worried About Sending Your Child Off To University? Watch This!

Everything you need to know about studying, campus life, CLV News, student culture and more.

Read the Campus Living Villages blog for everything you need to know about studying, campus life, CLV News, student culture, on-campus accommodation and more.

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