The Minimalists By Matt D Avella

In high school, eager teens are told about the stereotypical college student who may only have four dollars and seventy-five cents in their bank account and can survive on ramen noodles and bologna sandwiches for four years. Unfortunately, if you are a part of this majority of college students in America, then this lifestyle is a reality. However, living this college lifestyle can actually be the learning experience of a lifetime and has the capability of teaching young men and women the values of less is more. In the documentary, The Minimalists, two men go on a conference tour to teach people about their experience living minimalistic and the benefits they gained from it. Throughout the documentary, a variety of minimalist lifestyles

Procrastination is one of colleges' seven deadly sins and unfortunately, many students fall victim to this behavior. Clutter and disorganization have profound effects on mental health and the ability to focus. In The Minimalists, director Matt D'Avella stresses that minimalism's main philosophy is to get rid of the excess and determine "what items add value to their life." By doing this, it creates space for the mind and makes it easier to concentrate. Procrastination evolves from disorganization. When someone lives in a cluttered environment they begin to lose the ability to care. This is what links clutter to depression. During the ongoing hustle of a college student, it is important that in between classes and work they have time to focus on the other significances in life. However, if they live in an untidy home, trying to maintain all three is extremely difficult. This minimalism ideal is beneficiary to students because it can help them balance school and home life and their ability to focus on the tasks at

The importance of organization and tidiness is another one of the minimalist's main points. The effects a cluttered environment can lead to anxiety, stress, and depression. Jacoba Urist explains that studies have linked "crowding-related stress to increased rates of domestic violence and substance abuse..." Students often live in either an apartment or dorm; both being small spaces occupied by two to four people. For instance, when things are in disarray, the relationships between housemates become tense and stressful, which can lead to forms of violence. Living in clutter conditions not only hinders relationships in the household, but also the mental health of the individual. Inconveniences like these can cause a strain on grades, make the ability to focus more difficult, and some students lose motivation. In order to reduce the possibility of these situations occurring, students can reduce clutter in their living space by keeping the things that add importance to their life. This benefits students because it stabilizes their mental health and gives them the ability to continue doing well academically. It also teaches them the importance of having priorities, organization skills, and working well with