5 ways to prioritize your health in college
Staying healthy on a college campus can be challenging, especially when you have a busy class schedule and the dining hall boasts the most delicious cookies you’ve ever had. But taking care of yourself does not have to be complicated when you know which resources are available to support you on campus during your wellness journey. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the ways you can stay active and healthy during college, no matter how hectic classes and co-op may get.
Campus Gyms and Group Fitness
One of the most obvious ways to maintain your health in college is through exercise. At Northeastern, we have five gyms, one of which is primarily reserved for student athletes. These gyms offer all the exercise equipment you could ever need to maintain your health. The Marino Recreation Center is one of my favorite gyms on campus because it is the largest and offers amenities such as weight-lifting gear, cardio machines, saunas, an indoor running track, basketball courts, fitness studios, and a rotating rock-climbing machine. These resources are especially helpful in the winter, when it gets cold and exercising outside is too much of an endeavor.
In recent years, exercise classes such as pilates and yoga have gained significant popularity among Gen Z. But these classes can be expensive, making them hard for students to access. Hence, one of the perks of being a Husky is that you can take an unlimited number of student-taught classes at our recreation centers after paying a one-time fee of $50 at the start of fall and spring semesters, and an even cheaper fee during summer semesters. These classes include workouts like boxing, cycling, yoga, and pilates, and are just as challenging as any other studio, but at a much lower cost. The classes are mostly student-taught, which allows aspiring fitness instructors to build their resumes and get paid to work out. Plus, group fitness classes can be a great way to hold yourself accountable on your fitness journey, as your workout buddies can help motivate you.
Athletic Involvement
If you’re someone who is naturally sporty, Northeastern has many community-based sports teams that would be perfect for you. We have 19 Division 1 sports, 64 club sports, and tons of intramural-level sports that are all worth checking out. These teams can be an excellent way to stay in shape and meet individuals with shared passions. All of these team categories target individuals with varying levels of experience and commitment, so you’re almost guaranteed to find a group that fits your needs. Plus, they can be a great way to get rooted, especially if you’re new to campus.
Healthy Dining Options
As someone with a limited diet, you’d think it would be hard to find food in the dining hall, but not at Northeastern. We have four dining halls, all of which offer diverse food options from different cultural backgrounds and food groups. Sometimes navigating the dining hall can be challenging when you’re trying to maintain a diet, so I always recommend finding a few dishes you truly enjoy to lean on when you don’t feel like being adventurous with your eating. Consulting the dining hall menus online before you arrive can also be helpful if you like planning your meals in advance.
When it comes to healthy eating in the dining hall, I’ve always loved the grilled chicken station and salad bar, as these options are great for hitting your protein goals and getting enough vitamins. The omelet bars at our dining hall are also a great pick because eggs are a great source of protein and can be cooked in countless ways.
Campus Dietitian
Most people don’t know that Northeastern has two registered dietitians who are always willing to meet with students. Campus dietitians Johannah Gaitings-Harrod and Gabby Cabacab both work to provide students with the resources they need to succeed in their dietary goals. By providing a clinical and personalized approach to nutrition for each student, our dietitians make food fun. Sometimes they even host exciting events in the dining halls where students can discuss their nutrition goals, learn about the food groups, and make unique snacks. One of my favorite events on campus this semester was hosted by the dietitians, who provided healthy ingredients for students to make their own caprese salad snacks. To learn more about what our dietitians do and get advice on navigating healthy eating on campus, check out this article.
Find Other Options
It is important to remember that wellness isn’t just physical, it’s also mental. Hence, it’s of the utmost importance that you find people who nourish and support your journey. Northeastern has over 500 clubs and organizations, many of which focus on wellness, which makes this very easy to do. One example of a club that uplifts those who want to live a healthy lifestyle is CHAARG, which stands for Changing Health, Attitudes, and Actions to Recreate Girls. This club works to empower women through fitness and to create a sense of community on campus.
If you’re coming into Northeastern’s Boston campus as a freshman, another great way to find others who care about health is by joining the Healthy Living Living Learning Community (LLC). Living Learning Communities (LLC) at Northeastern is a way to ensure freshmen with similar interests are grouped together in housing. Through this, residence assistants can plan fun events aligned with the LLC’s interests and help students meet like-minded peers. Such communities can be beneficial for staying motivated on your wellness journey and for finding a sense of belonging on campus.
The Bottom Line
Though the resources mentioned are all excellent ways to find your place on campus and maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is important to remember that everyone’s wellness journey looks a little different. Hence, experimentation is totally okay when you’re trying to discover what works for you and fits into your schedule. Adjusting your wellness habits can be challenging when you first arrive at college, so it’s crucial you give yourself grace and remember that wellness is never an end goal, but rather a journey.
