College is the first time that they must rely on themselves for survival. In high school, most people rely on their guardians for basics like food, water, and shelter. Balancing a new environment, harder classes, and deviation from routine confuses the brain and causes students to frequently sacrifice health.
Health isn’t a single thing. There is physical health, mental health, emotional health, and relationship health. In an interview with a past Skyline student who is now a college student, they said, “I also don’t think I’ve been educated on how to promote my health.” This exposes a learning gap between health trends and college students, which has detrimental short and long-term effects.
Physical health is the most affected. The National College Health Assessment from spring 2024 showed that 24% of students are overweight and 18% are obese, a drastic change from previous years.
Eating on the go, late-night snacks while studying and eating out instead of home cooking contribute to these changes. The Skyline graduate reported not being able to eat at their normal time because of frequent library study sessions.
Although the pressure of college is massive, there are small fixes that can instantly boost your physical health. Instead of multitasking while eating, sit down and enjoy a balanced meal without distractions, take brisk walks from class to class, consume daily vitamins, and stay up to date with doctor’s appointments. According to Purdue Global, “Health screenings help address various wellness concerns, and they’re also important to detect other ailments.”
Moving away from your home also puts pressure on your relationships and mental health. Friends go to different colleges; family is not as close by as they used to be, and the familiar community shifts to the unknown. Tough classes, studying and grappling for internships further add to pressure on oneself and relationships.
The key to improving stress and relationships is hand in hand. Stress is reduced by connecting with humans, getting enough sleep, and meditating. Relationships are improved by communication and quality time. Setting aside 5-10 minutes every day to talk to a friend or family member can lower stress levels as well as boost social connections. A lack of sleep contributes to stress as well, so getting 7-9 hours of sleep can improve your mood, mind clarity, and reflexivity.
Balancing life in college is hard, but with these simple tricks and tips it does not have to be grueling every day.
For more information:
Health advice for college students and young adults transitioning to independent living
