July 24 marks International Self-Care Day, a reminder for all of us—especially online college students—to slow down, check in and invest in our well-being. When classes, work and life blend together on a screen, it’s easy to push YOU to the bottom of your to-do list.

Self-care is whole being care, essential to your academic and personal success.

Why Self-Care Matters for Online Students

Your typical days may be filled with lectures, assignments, discussion boards along with a job and personal responsibilities. The flexibility of online learning is a huge advantage, but it also requires strong self-discipline and boundaries. Without those boundaries, burnout can sneak in, silently. That’s where a solid self-care routine comes in.

Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. It fuels your focus, lowers your stress and improves your ability to retain information and deadlines and enjoy their college experience.

How to Discover Self-Care That Works for You

Self-care looks different for everyone. The key is to find activities that help you recharge mentally, physically and emotionally. Here are a few ways to explore what self-care practices may suit you:

• Identify what energizes or calms you. Are you more relaxed after a walk, journaling or chatting with a friend? Pay attention to what helps you feel grounded and reset.
• Try something new each week. Not sure what works? Explore meditation apps or videos, stretch or dance breaks, digital detoxes, or creative hobbies like painting or baking.
• Schedule it like a class. Block off time on your calendar for self-care—even 10 minutes a day makes a difference.
• Discover free resources. Check out wellness-focused podcasts and YouTube channels for ideas on workouts, mindfulness exercises and creative tutorials to help you unwind.
• Don’t overlook the basics. Good sleep, hydration and regular breaks are simple yet powerful self-care tools.

Your Self-Care = Your Success

Building a self-care routine that works for you is an investment in your long-term success. When you take care of yourself, you’re better equipped to manage stress, stay focused and fully engage in your studies.

So, remember to mark July 24 as a day for you, when you take a moment to pause and ask yourself: What do I need right now? Then give yourself permission to act on it and honor that need. And while you’re at it, mark some time on the days leading up to and following July 24. Why not? You deserve it.

For more resources, visit our UofL Online student resources page.