Off to College? Stay

HEALTH & BEAUTY HEALTH

Off to College? Stay Healthy!

By Dylan Roche

Heading off to college means a major lifestyle change. It means independence for many young people. It also means a lot of responsibility. And for those students who find they are now charged with taking care of themselves for the first time in their lives—with no direct authority figure telling them what to do—it could mean developing a lot of unhealthy habits.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. If students move onto campus with a commitment to themselves that they’re going to take charge of their health, they could find that they fare better than they ever have before.

Here are the top 10 considerations new college students should make as they adapt:

1. Establish a routine. This one might sound simple, but it will make all the difference. Find a schedule that works for you, then stick to it. Collegiate life can get stressful. Having a routine will reduce some of the anxiety you feel about not knowing what to expect, and it will help you stick with all the good habits you want to maintain—such as studying, working out, and visiting with friends—because you know when you’ll do them each day. 2. Establish a supportive social network. If you’re like most students going away to college, you won’t know many people on campus when you move into your dorm. That’s okay—there will be plenty of opportunities to meet people in the coming weeks. Keep an effort to stay in touch with friends from home, as their long-distance support will be an important part of adapting, but don’t be afraid to make new friends where you are. Aim to take advantage of at least two or three social activities outside of class every week.

3. Eat like an adult. This is probably the first time you’ve had total control over your meals, but that doesn’t mean you should be living off junk food. Sure, it’s tempting—but you’ll feel terrible. Have a serving of fruits or vegetables at every meal, limit yourself to greasy or fried food only once or twice a week, and opt for minimally processed whole foods whenever possible.

4. Prioritize sleep. Aim to get at least eight hours of sleep a night, even if it means you have to forgo certain social activities. Sufficient sleep will help you manage stress better, perform better in class, ward off sickness, maintain a healthy weight, and keep a positive attitude. Although you should try to keep late nights to a minimum, there will inevitably be times when you aren’t able to get a full night’s sleep. In those cases, aim to take a half-hour nap after class before you start on your homework or head to gym. Above all, don’t ever let yourself get to the point that you have to pull an all-nighter.

5. Be active as much as possible. Most colleges have a fitness center on campus, so even if you’ve never been active before, now is your chance. Aim to work out for at least a half-hour a day, five days a week, combining both aerobic activity (such as running or cycling) and strength training (such as weight machines or free weights). And don’t underestimate how beneficial non-exercise-related activity is for you. Enjoy the chance to walk to class, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or see if a friend wants to toss a Frisbee or football around one day after class.

6. Practice good hygiene. This rule applies to both your body and your living space. Shower daily and brush your teeth every morning and every evening. Access to laundry appliances may be limited, but don’t let that be an excuse to wear dirty clothes—make washing them a priority. You should also keep your dorm clean by wiping down frequently touched surfaces, not leaving food out for more than an hour, and washing your bedding and towels once a week. If you have communal bathrooms, buy a pair of cheap flip-flops to wear in the shower. These practices will go a long way in preventing you from getting sick, and they’ll ensure you don’t gross out your roommate.

7. Be careful about drinking. Let’s face it—at college, you’ll find yourself in social situations involving alcohol, whether you are of legal age or not. Remember that you can always say no, and most of your peers will respect your decision. If you do decide to partake in alcohol, do so in moderation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites that excessive alcohol consumption is associated with such short-term health risks as injury, violence, alcohol poisoning, and risky sexual behavior.

8. Practice safe sex. College is a time when many young people are sexually active for the first time in their lives, and if they don’t know what they’re doing, they can quickly get into trouble. Remember to always use a condom to prevent pregnancy and STDs, and take