Coming to college brings independence. However, such independence must be used wisely, particularly when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Once new students are no longer under the watchful eyes of their parents and are making their own choices, good nutrition, regular exercise and adequate sleep often fly out the window.
However, maintaining that precollege health is possible through a little self-discipline, as well as with the help of some campus resources available at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Mike Foley, a sophomore music education major at UNL, understands the challenges students face with adjusting their lifestyle to remain healthy upon entering college.
"For me, and a lot of people, the pizza and pasta section (of the dining halls) is an easy go-to," Foley said. "When you get busy, eating healthy is one of the first things to go — it's easy to get comfort food."
As a result, Foley said, he gained weight and even became ill during his first semester at UNL.
"It was easy, at first, to eat the way I used to," Foley said, "(but) my exercise habits were different (from high school)."
Foley soon realized he had to compensate for his decreased activity level by making a conscious effort to choose healthy options in the dining halls.
Another difficulty students face is finding opportunities for physical activity.
The Campus Recreation Center offers a variety of programs, classes and equipment for students to stay in shape. According to the Rec Center's website, it provides aquatics and swimming lessons, intramural sports, outdoor adventures, sports club and various fitness classes throughout the year. In addition, the Rec also offers injury prevention and care, nutrition services, massage therapy, personal training and wellness tests.
The University Health Center is another campus resource available for students to maintain a healthy lifestyle. According to Jennifer Snyder, marketing coordinator for the University Health Center, the health center houses a medical clinic, dental services, counseling and psychological services, a laboratory, a pharmacy, physical therapy and radiology. The health center also has an education and outreach program to help instruct students on how to form a healthy lifestyle.
Because the health center is funded through student fees, Snyder said, students can come in and see a provider whenever necessary.
"We're here to help campus stay healthy," she said.
Snyder also said there a number of day-to-day things students can do to avoid getting sick in the first place.
"Well, the first thing you're going to want to do is get plenty of sleep, which is hard," she said. "That's your body's way of refueling itself."
In addition, Snyder said, getting in the habit of eating healthy, getting exercise and washing hands regularly will help build a good lifestyle and hopefully stick with students.
Snyder acknowledges that a lot of students preparing to come to college for the first time probably won't be thinking about the possibility of getting sick — they'll be more concerned about signing up for classes and making housing arrangements. But there are resources on campus, such as the Rec and the health center, available to help students maintain a healthy lifestyle. And good health, Snyder said, typically leads to more success in the classroom.
sarahmccallister@dailynebraskan.com
is a member of the 
