By OLABODE ALIMOT
Finding a balance between hygiene and academics as a student is crucial. Hygiene is paramount for a student and those around them. Although hygiene is a simple concept, it is still difficult for some people to follow through. For some students, they may find it difficult to juggle academics and their hygiene, which is due to time management. For some students, they simply do not care about personal and environmental hygiene.
We should understand the importance of hygiene in our environment. Many students fail to realize the importance of cleaning their hostel, doing their dishes, and washing their bathrooms regularly. Poor hygiene can lead to body odour, which will not only affect one’s reputation but also affect other students when they are trying to concentrate in lectures. Poor hygiene can also cause skin problems and infections.
Some students find it challenging to prioritize self-care and cleaning due to a busy study schedule. The solution to this is finding good time management and finding a balance that is suitable with one’s itinerary. For students with early morning classes who also come home very late, waking up two hours before class to clean their environment, do their house chores, and take a proper bath before lectures is not a bad idea.
If that method is not feasible, a student can do their house chores the night before going to bed if they know they cannot wake up early. Why do some students see the necessity to clean their room only when there is a visitor?
Maintaining hygiene while living with others in a shared hostel or dorm is also crucial. Hostel mates need to share chores among themselves. The infusion of different individuals’ scents combined with an unclean room leads to a stuffy and pungent space, especially when there’s little to no ventilation. This may also lead to disease and infections.
It is absurd to learn that some students do not clean their bathroom for weeks, making it a breeding ground for germs that may lead to diseases and a smelly space. Some students do not do their dishes for days until the whole place becomes smelly. Even simple tasks, such as sweeping where one stays, some people fail to do this.
As individuals, we should understand that our living space represents us. We should also be considerate, as poor hygiene, such as wearing unwashed clothes or not bathing, can make other students uncomfortable. Because of the numerous disadvantages that come with poor hygiene, students should endeavour to improve and step up their hygiene game for themselves and others. Academics is not an excuse for poor hygiene.