Going off to college is a huge change, not only in environment but in schedule.
XOXO Anna
P.S. If anyone reading this has an eating disorder and wants help or information, please don't hesitate to go to the contact page and message me. I can tell you more about my personal experience. Trust me, getting help is the best thing to do.
- Depending on your classes, it might interfere with your eating schedule or work out schedule.
- One thing to keep in mind is breakfast is really the most important meal of the day. Before you head off to class, if you can't eat a full breakfast, at least grab a snack bar or something.
- Drink water! I know that now that you have a cafeteria full of soda and fun beverages you might want to indulge on those, but always grab a glass of water to stay hydrated.
- Don't skip meals! I know that with your crazy schedules it might interfere, but try to get three meals in. My past quarter I had breakfast at seven, lunch at five and dinner at nine because of my classes, but I still got three meals in.
- If you feel like you're missing meals or not getting the nutrition you need, take vitamins. That's what I did and it really helped.
- If you have an eating disorder, please, I cannot stress this enough, get help. I personally have an eating disorder and it was hell trying to get through my freshman year. When you don't eat, you have no energy and your grades will drop. If you over eat then you become lazy and can become depressed. Eating disorders are not something to ignore or scoff and make fun at. They are serious, and they need to get treated. Go to the school counseling services and they can refer you to a good therapist or nutritionist. Getting help is the first step to recovery.
- Try working out every week. It boosts your energy and your mood! Working out three times a week is normal and can be fun when you go with a friend. Depending on your body and type of work out you can work out for 30 minutes- 1 hour. It doesn't have to be a formal - go to the gym- work out. It could simply be going for a bike ride, or playing soccer with friends.
- Sleep! That is another one that seems to evade college students. On the week nights try your best to get to bed by 1 AM, especially if you have an early class.
- Take naps if you need to! This past quarter I took naps after my morning classes on tuesdays and thursdays and it really saved me.
- Try to stay to a schedule on eating, sleeping, and working. It can be hard to balance it at first, but it's all about trial and error.
- Roommates and sleeping can be an issue. Set a time for lights off. Since I had 8 AMs everyday I said lights had to be off by midnight, and if they needed to continue working, to go out to the common room to work.
- Avoid drinking caffeine before bed! Caffeine stays in your system for up to five hours after you drink, so I would suggest not drinking any caffeinated beverage past six in the evening if you want to get to bed by midnight.
- If you are sexually active get tested just to be safe.
- This may sound obvious, but do use protection for sex. Trust me you don't want an unplanned pregnancy or an STD. It's better to be safe than sorry.
- Sex seems to be one of those topics that aren't discussed. If you're in a relationship please talk about that with your partner. They don't know you or your history. COMMUNICATION IS KEY!
- It's okay to say no! If you don't want to do something say so. You have every right to say no. It's your body and it should be respected.
XOXO Anna
P.S. If anyone reading this has an eating disorder and wants help or information, please don't hesitate to go to the contact page and message me. I can tell you more about my personal experience. Trust me, getting help is the best thing to do.