Health can sometimes go out the window (or at least take a backseat) in college. It is really important to keep in touch with your body and establish healthy habits as a college student. These habits often extend through early adulthood. I may only be a first year student, but I have learned quite a bit so far. Here is my two cents:
1. Figure out where your campus health building is.
It is really important to figure out where this building is and what services it provides. The student health building on my campus has practically everything, and even if it did not, there is a major hospital right on campus. We are quite lucky. Despite all of the on-campus resources, they have a great referral program as well. I was able to find a cognitive behavioral therapist close to campus and on a bus line because of their referral specialists.
2. Locate the recreation centers and gyms.
Campus recreation centers have tons of workout equipment and open floor spaces. These open floor spaces are for fitness classes like Zumba, yoga and Pilates, and tabata. Even if you do not know how to use some of the equipment, there are employees there who can show you. Any mandatory physical education classes you have to take to complete your general education requirements will probably be in the gymnasiums rather than the recreation centers. Gyms may also hold some sporting events for intermurals or the main sports teams. You may not end up using some of these resources, but it is certainly good to know.
3. Explore the surrounding restaurants and delivery places.
The dining hall is a great resource for food; however, the selection can get boring. Sometimes, the food is not all that great. It is important to have balanced meals that you actually want to eat and enjoy eating. You need to have plenty of options for nutrition. Additionally, there may be nights when you do not have enough time to go out. Maybe you have a big test to study for, a lab report to write, or both. Delivery companies can come in really handy on those nights.
4. Go get a medical massage.
I am talking about a medical massage, not the ones you get at the spa. Due to all of that studying, paper-writing, and sleeping in an uncomfortable bed, you probably have lots of tight muscles. A medical massage will work out all the tension and give you new insight about your body. I had a massage today and learned that I have pelvic tilt that tilts backward and really tight hip flexors. Now I know what areas to focus on when I stretch and work out. The pain is worth the knowledge, I promise.
5. Get plenty of sleep.
Sleep is extremely important. It allows your body to recharge and process information. If people on your hall are obnoxious, then just tell them to be quiet. Dorms have quiet hours and courtesy hours. You are supposed to have an environment conducive to study and sleep. Make it so. Get a sleep mask and earplugs if necessary. Establish rules with your roommate like no TVs, phones, or computers after midnight. Get your sleep because you need to function in order to do your best.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Monday, March 3, 2014
On Awareness
Last week was National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and last month was Black History Month. It seems as though each week and month has a national meaning. How many people are actually aware of these meanings? Before college, I had never heard of some of these awareness weeks. We only knew about the special months like Black History Month, Hispanic History Month, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Even if we knew about them, we did not necessarily do anything particularly special.
In college, a lot of people want to be activists. They want to change the world and make an impact. They embrace these weeks of awareness as recruitment opportunities. Unfortunately from what I have observed, the people who go up to the tables and ask for more information are the people already interested in the cause and want to learn more or are involved in the cause in some other way. Not many new people make an effort to get involved. As much advertising as there was for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, few people stopped by the booths in the main pedestrian traffic area on campus. It can be a bit disheartening to the student activists when not much attention is paid to their cause.
To the student activists out there, keep caring and keep spreading information. You can make a difference, even if it is only for one person. But it is enough to make an impact on one person because that impact can spread like in the movie, Pay It Forward.
To the college students out there, try to take a minute or two to talk to the activists at those tables. You are at college to learn new things and to be exposed to new ideas. You may uncover a passion you never knew you had.
In college, a lot of people want to be activists. They want to change the world and make an impact. They embrace these weeks of awareness as recruitment opportunities. Unfortunately from what I have observed, the people who go up to the tables and ask for more information are the people already interested in the cause and want to learn more or are involved in the cause in some other way. Not many new people make an effort to get involved. As much advertising as there was for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, few people stopped by the booths in the main pedestrian traffic area on campus. It can be a bit disheartening to the student activists when not much attention is paid to their cause.
To the student activists out there, keep caring and keep spreading information. You can make a difference, even if it is only for one person. But it is enough to make an impact on one person because that impact can spread like in the movie, Pay It Forward.
To the college students out there, try to take a minute or two to talk to the activists at those tables. You are at college to learn new things and to be exposed to new ideas. You may uncover a passion you never knew you had.
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