Your body is your temple. It is the sole possession of yourself, and you can do with it as you please. Naturally, we all want our bodies to be well taken care of. Unfortunately, some of us have had to learn the hard way that the behavioral habits we develop in college can affect our bodies in the long run. Some habits we have broken and others, not so much. Fear not; we are not alone! Most collegiettes experience some sort of change in their bodies, and here are 5 major things every collegiette should be aware of:
1. The “freshman 15” is NOT a myth.
You’ve read about it in those magazines geared towards our girly consciences. You’ve heard about it from friends, family and those unrealistic TV shows about college life. I hate to break it to you, but the rumors are true. The “freshman 15” does indeed exist.
In college, you have the freedom to do what you want, when you want. Sleep. Workout. Shop. Party. Eat. Now, let’s back up for a minute. Having the freedom to eat what you want, when you want? Sounds great, right? Maybe you’ll have the number #1 from Chick-Fil-A three times a week because you can, or maybe you’ll visit the Fresh Food Company four times a day because you feel like it! But be warned! Making a routine out of these habits can pack on the pounds quickly! Maybe you’ve noticed your friends have packed on a few pounds when you went back home, or maybe you’ve noticed your jeans feeling too tight. Maybe you have all fallen victim to the “freshman 15”.
My best advice?
This isn’t actually my advice, but more so, advice I got from my dad. It’s perfectly sensible though! “You don’t have to taste every free sample in Wal-Mart.” In other words, just because you can have it, or it’s easily available to you, doesn’t mean you have to get it. Trust me, Seymour’s and Stone’s Throw aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
2. Too much partying can takes its toll physically.
Breaking news! Yes, I said it. Partying can and will affect the way your body operates over time. Think about it. You’re going to be exhausted after every party you attend, and the consecutive hangovers you could possibly get won’t help you get out of bed for that 8 AM class that you dread even on your most sober of days. Now, I know it’s tempting to try to outdo your best friends by pounding down fifteen jello shots in 20-minutes time, and the hunch-punch might be the one thing you look forward to on your night outings. However, you risk paying for it in the morning when it comes back up… and you know exactly what I mean.
My best advice?
Keep the partying to a minimum. You don’t have to be completely anti-social, but there’s nothing wrong with saying no to a night out. Give your body time to rejuvenate for a few days—or maybe even a week— with some sleep.
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3. Your body will adapt to less sleep…whether you like it or not.
Say goodbye to that normal 8 hours of sleep that you were used to getting in high school. Thanks to endless studying, last-minute assignments and any social activities you may partake in after the streetlights come on, you will transition into the realm of little to no sleep. Now you may not think this pertains to you, and maybe it hasn’t even happened to you yet! So, congrats! You get your work done on time, and you probably don’t go out at night. Regardless, it will happen to you at some point during your college career. There will be a night when you stay up until 5 AM writing a 20-page paper that couldn’t keep your interest even if it were about Bradley Cooper!
My best advice?
Accept it. Accept the fact that there will be nights that you are deprived of sleep. It’s a normal part of college life!
4. You are more prone to getting sick during finals week than any other time of the semester.
It is a result of staying awake for 48 hours at a time, living in the 24-hour library and consuming nothing but caffeine and those stale crackers that you munch on only because you’re too lazy or exhausted to go get some real food.
My best advice?
First, invest in some real food to eat. Secondly, and most importantly, prepare for the worst. Make sure you have aspirin, cough medicine and maybe some soup or tea to make you feel better! Finals are stressful enough, and you don’t need the burden of an illness to make it that much more unbearable.
5. You’ll have to actually work to stay in shape.
Now, if you’re like me and you want to avoid the “freshman 15”, the Payne Center is conveniently located on campus, free for students to use on a daily basis. Simple right? Well, when you have classes, meetings, extracurriculars, a job and Greek Life responsibilities, working out can be difficult to fit into your busy schedule. College life is very different from your tenures in high school where everything could be done in the after-hours of school. Somehow, someway, you have to dedicate yourself to making that walk to the Payne Center and spending at least a good 20 minutes working out!
My best advice?
Search for some free time. Lie out your schedule, and fill in your free-time blocks with a 20-minute workout at least twice a week. It’s no good complaining about the weight you’ve been gaining if you don’t make the effort to do anything about it! With spring break coming up, you’ll find a way to make it there!
For the next years of your college career, you’ll be experiencing more changes in regards to your body, good or bad. You were probably told that after 18 you were done growing, but you’re just getting started. Prepare yourself! The changes may or may not be pleasant, but you can’t say you weren’t warned!