Whether you are leaving the nest or staying home and online after high school, it is still extremely easy to lose a few of your previous eating and fitness habits, hence the term “The Freshman Fifteen”. When college begins, there are so many aspects begging for your attention; there is your new intense course load, interesting clubs, and other social events; as a result, your health and wellbeing can sometimes fly out the window. Following guidelines for campus wellness can lead to success.
During this time especially, many high school graduates are unsure if they will be able to physically go to their university of choice this fall, which is why these tips are so much more important. The sooner you follow these 10 tips to wellness on campus, the sooner you will create healthy habits that you can carry with you long after graduation.
Stay Nutritious in the Campus Dining Hall and the Kitchen
Oftentimes, college students are surrounded by a plethora of unhealthy options on campus; however, there is always one place you can find food your body will love just as much as you do, the dining hall! Even if you are stuck at home and eating in your kitchen, here are some helpful steps for self-control while you have all the food at your fingertips.
Know where to look for important nutrition information: Many universities provide a menu or list of the food they offer that day, so you will easily be able to plan out your meals and eat mindfully.
Leave soon after eating: Although the dining hall is a place where you can congregate and meet with your friends, reduce the time you spend thereafter you finish eating to reduce temptation.
Portion yourself: Although it is difficult for most, students must eat when they are hungry, and not when they are full. To discover what belongs on your plate every day, MyPlate provides healthy portions full of fruit, veggie, and grain options just for you!
Enjoy dessert (in moderation): This article isn’t going to cause you to avoid sweets, and you don’t have to! However, if you replace your everyday soda with water, or your cookies with strawberries occasionally, this will begin to train your body and mind and create healthy eating habits. Another option is to make or purchase healthier desserts yourself that will taste just as good.
Remember Mental Wellness and Health Matters Too
In high school, many school counselors are there to help you prepare for college; even if you have an outside therapist, it is not likely you will be able to continue with them now that you are going to college. Don’t worry! Many universities, as well as student groups, have plenty of support options for you.
Before you arrive on campus, look for any mental health services your school provides so that when you need help, you’ll know exactly where to go. Remember, mental and psychological health is just as important as your physical health!
Outline Your Priorities Before You Arrive On Campus
Whether it’s the sports teams, social groups, or prestigious education, you most likely had a reason for choosing the university you did. However, although your social life can sometimes seem to be more important than your homework one night, that is not the case. To stay mentally and educationally stable, you must think about what you want to focus on before you move into your dorm.
For example, you may research a group you may want to join or plan how you may want to spend your weekends, but prioritizing what you want out of your college experience before is very important so that you are not overwhelmed with different ways to spend your time once you arrive.
Find a Workout You Enjoy!
When many people hear the word “workout”, they often think of a gym filled with dumbbells and machines galore. However, whether you can go to the gym or not, it is important to find a workout that benefits and works for you! Walking around campus does provide some minor physical activity during your day, but you should also look into additional options you can incorporate into your routine when you are not walking from class to class based on what your body needs.
Make Time for Sleep at Night
It is no secret that many college students do not get the suggested 7-9 hours of sleep a night, whether it’s because of late-night studying at the library or the countless parties on campus you want to attend. However, if you really plan your day out before it begins, leaving plenty of time to sleep, the amount of all-nighters you pull is going to decrease as your physical health and happiness increase.
Although Insomnia Cookies is a well-known student favorite for late nights, there are plenty of healthy foods and methods that will help improve your sleep overall; you can still enjoy the cookies on a less than nightly basis. More sleep contributes to better campus wellness!
Don’t Push Yourself Too Hard
College is known for its new opportunities for many students. However, this can be negative or positive, depending on how you look at it. Most of us know our limits and can feel when we are getting close. First-year college students are almost always overwhelmed with the higher amount of access they have and the peer pressure they face when entering college, causing them to make unhealthy, and sometimes even life-threatening decisions.
Having a good time in college is always allowed; still, whether it be not sleeping enough because you decided to take too many classes at once or consuming too much of an illegal substance at a party, you must always consider yourself, your health, and your future before making any decisions that affect your campus wellness routine.
Find Your Niche on Campus
As a student on campus, you don’t want to push yourself past your limits, but you also don’t want to only go through the motions throughout your years there. With a small amount of effort, you will be able to find something that you love to do that will also benefit your future. By finding something useful to keep you busy and happy during your free time, your mental health will not only be positively affected but by keeping yourself out of unwanted trouble, your physical health will thank you as well.
Build a Solid Support System
Whether you’re on a large campus, a small campus, or at home, having a support system to rely on for educational or mental purposes is very valuable. This could consist of family, new friends, or even professors, but as soon as you make the effort to get involved on campus, you will be able to find a group of people you click with. The best thing you can do is have a close group of individuals who will value your well being and help you whenever you need it.
Take Occasional Breaks From Technology
These days, it is almost impossible to avoid technology because it impacts nearly every aspect of our lives, especially as a student. You often study, take lecture notes, and communicate with some form of technology; however, the Harvard Graduate School of Education actually suggests picking up a pen and paper instead of your laptop for reasons such as better focus and higher grades.
A detox from social media and other online platforms can also benefit your mental wellness and physical health by allowing more time for yourself and more sleep!
Prioritize What You Keep in Your Dorm
In your dorm room or room at home, it can be difficult knowing what to keep and what to throw out. When preparing for your upcoming year at college, you must consider your health and happiness above anything else. Of course, your textbooks and school work will take up a large amount of space, but you should have essential items that will benefit both your physical and mental health as well. Healthy snacks for those 8 am classes and breaks between classes are an important campus wellness hack, just as much as you may need your favorite sketchbook to relieve your stress.
