With Spring finally here, many of us are now starting to embark on the annual spring clean to clear out all the clutter and stoor that have accumulated over the long Winter.

Our blogger Heather has done just that and has taken some time to collate her top tips, not only for tidying up your home, but also your studies and health as well!

Tidying up your Home

• Clear out your wardrobe Take unwanted goods to your local charity shop to pass onto a new home. Or alternatively, why not make some money back on them? The saying goes; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, so list your old clobber on Ebay and earn a pretty penny.
• Get cooking If you are guilty of dining on microwave meals and takeaway dishes, dig out that cookbook your Gran gave you at the start of first year and get busy in the kitchen. Not only will this save you money in the long-run, but it will also have a positive impact on your diet. Try a fruit smoothie for breakfast, a bowl of homemade soup for lunch, and a Chicken and mixed veg stir-fry for dinner? That’s you hit your 5 a day!
• Change your bed A 2022 poll conducted by YouGov found that a quarter of 18-24 year olds admitted to only washing their bed sheets once a month or less!! When you consider that humans shed half an ounce of skin each week, this makes for some pretty mucky sleeping habits. Keep the dust mites at bay by changing your bed sheets every week, and opening your bedroom window each morning if possible to let them air.

Tidying up your Studies

• Make a revision plan Exam time doesn’t have to mean barricading the doors and windows shut for a month. Invest in a diary and decide what days/nights you are going to set aside to revise. Once you’ve agreed on a plan that ensures you are giving yourself enough study hours to get the grades, you can then look at how much free time you have left to do fun stuff!!
• Start early Don’t do what you did last semester or the semester before that, and wait until 1 week before the deadline to start frantically typing up that 5000 word essay which accounts for 30% of your final grade. Why put yourself under so much pressure (or force yourself to consume that much Red Bull)? Be smart and plan ahead.
• Recruit a study buddy Having someone around to motivate you and kick your butt into gear when you start to flag is often a blessing in disguise. It can also mean half the workload, if you work together as a joint research team!

Tidying up your Health

• Talk to the Doc  Us Scots like to think that we are made of stronger stuff, and are often guilty of ignoring niggles and aches. Unfortunately, this can sometimes mean that serious health issues aren’t spotted until they have developed into the more advanced stage. If you haven’t been for a check-up in a while, make an appointment with your local GP and put your mind at ease.
• Join the gym  Gyms were once an expensive hobby to maintain, but with UofGSport offering a brilliant range of membership options, you'll be able to access state of the art facilities for an reasonable price.  If cash flow is proving to be an issue then remember that you can also work out at one of Glasgow’s outdoor gyms for free!
• Do the 30 day challenge I stole this one from a friend, who has recently succeeded in curbing the habit of a lifetime by following the 30-day mantra. Back in January, they decided to give up smoking for 30 whole days. Upon completing their challenge, and noticing how much better they felt for it, they have successfully managed to quit completely. The idea behind it comes from the belief that most habits can be broken if you are able to go 30 days without them.

Looking for more cleaning tips?

Head to our Stress Free UofGLiving page for instructions and guides on keeping your room and flat in great condition.