How Florida Dietetics Students Are Setting Themselves Up For Success This Semester

 By 2025-2026 Student Advisory Committee

Florida dietetics students are using simple, intentional habits like time management, self-care, and hands on learning to stay balanced, focused, and successful throughout the semester.

Success in dietetics school often depends on small changes that create balance and focus. Members of the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Student Advisory Committee shared what they are doing differently this semester to set themselves up for success. Their strategies range from time management to self-care and their insights highlight practical ways to stay on track.

Prioritizing Balance and Well-being

Mollie McGuire from the University of Florida is prioritizing balance. She explained, “To better set myself up for success this semester, I am focusing more on my school-life balance. I am intentionally scheduling activities I enjoy into my week, making sure I have time to recharge. This will help me be more productive throughout the semester and less likely to experience burn out!”

Gaining Real-World Experience

Kaia Floro, also from the University of Florida, is looking beyond the classroom. She said, “This semester, I am focusing on involving myself outside of class to gain some experience in health care, research, and teaching. It is important to be well-rounded, especially senior year, and I wanted to gain some experience outside of classes within healthcare.”

Focusing on Health and Confidence

For Gabby Vargas of Keiser University, personal wellness is the priority. She shared, “This semester, I am being more intentional about going to the gym. In past semesters, I have put my own health and wellness to the side, and it made me feel bad about myself and not as confident in my ability to take care of myself and give health advice to others. So this semester, I am telling myself that I am going to the gym even if it is for 30 minutes, to take some time for myself and prioritize my own health.”

Planning with Purpose

Elizabeth Gerdes from University of North Florida is using time blocking to stay organized. “This semester I realized I must do things a little differently because I am in the middle of my longest rotation. I am juggling 30 hours a week for my rotation, graduate coursework, and preparing for the RD exam. On Sundays I look ahead at my week and use the time blocking method to plan out hours that I will complete each assignment and this has helped so far to keep me on track and have enough time to get assignments completed on schedule. I’ve found that also blocking time to relax or spend time with friends is essential to making this method work for me. Without those moments of rest, you’re always going to be running on empty. This semester I’m trying to prioritize my own wellness in addition to my coursework and clinical rotation.”

Mastering Material Through Active Review

Julia Richard from Florida State University is taking a hands-on approach to learning. She explained, “This semester I have been taking a bit of extra time outside of the classroom to ensure that I am really digesting the material and being engaged in what I am learning. Week to week this looks like spending an hour at the library to rewrite notes or review quizzes and exams.”

Setting Realistic Goals

For Gina Makary at University of North Florida, breaking large goals into smaller steps has made a difference. She said, “This semester, I’ve shifted my focus to setting very realistic weekly goals instead of only looking at the big picture. Since I’m balancing my clinical internship rotation with graduate coursework as well as things like physical activity, meal prepping, and spending time with family, I’ve learned that breaking down projects into smaller steps makes them more manageable. For example, if I have a PowerPoint due, I won’t just write ‘finish presentation’ on my list. I’ll set goals like ‘pick or start the template today,’ ‘add content tomorrow,’ and ‘record narration by the end of the week.’ I do the same with personal tasks, such as blocking time to prep meals or schedule exercise. At the end of each week, I check in with myself to see what I completed and what needs adjusting, which helps me stay consistent and avoid last-minute stress.”

Practicing Mindfulness

At Florida International University, Ammie Martinez is creating space for mindfulness. She explained, “This semester, I’m making more intentional time for myself. I recently discovered that running helps me practice mindfulness and it’s become my way of releasing stress. In the past, I let school take over my life, but I don’t want to live like that anymore. For me, it’s about finding balance and making time for the things that bring happiness. To stay mindful and focused, I also downloaded an app called ScreenZen to block social media on the weekdays so I can concentrate on what fully matters- my well-being and my goals!”

Creating a Consistent Routine

Valeria Portuese from Nova Southeastern University is setting a steady routine. She said, “This semester, I am focusing on establishing a consistent daily routine that prioritizes taking care of my health and well-being. Whether it is taking a few quiet moments during my morning routine or making time for exercise, I am committed to prioritizing myself. With the added demands of studying for the RDN exam, rotations and related projects, capstone project, other coursework, and my job, burnout is likely to be a challenge. That is why incorporating breathing and relaxation exercises before bed is an important part of my plan for success. Having a steady routine will help me stay organized, manage my time more effectively, and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed by the many responsibilities I have.”

These student leaders are finding ways to balance coursework, personal health, and professional development. Their approaches are practical and show that even small adjustments make a big difference.

By learning from your peers and implementing these strategies, you can manage your coursework, rotations, and personal well-being more effectively. Remember, success is not only about completing assignments but also about taking care of yourself along the way. Start with one change, build momentum, and watch how it improves your focus, confidence, and overall experience this semester.

We love celebrating the next generation of nutrition leaders! Want to learn more about the passionate students shaping the future of our profession? Click here to get to know the 2025-2026 FAND Student Advisory Committee.