As the school year comes to an end, especially as a freshman, we’ve learned how to adjust to our new environment. The freshman 15 is an extremely popular “idea” as incoming students approach their first year going into college. Everyone’s college experience differs in a variety of aspects, but the freshman 15 is something very avoidable if taking steps in the right direction.
Personally, I was intimidated by this common misconception of rapidly gaining weight over the period of freshman year. As we adapt to our surroundings, daily life, and schedules, it opens our eyes to the perspective of who you strive to be.
The most important factor steering away from the freshman 15 is physical activity. Living on campus, there are endless ideas and opportunities to move your body. much more.
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First, the SLC (Student Life Center) offers a two-level gym with free weights, treadmills, Stairmasters, weight machines, a track, courts, a pool, and rooms for classes such as Pilates, dance, Zumba, and more. If you have a hard time finding the motivation to go, using the buddy system is very beneficial. A quick call, knock on your door, or words of motivation can really push someone to get out of their comfort zone.
Going hand in hand with this, sports are a very fun and active way to burn calories, hang out with friends, and be competitive. At Cortland, there are 25 NCAA Division III teams, 32 club sports, and more than 30 intramural leagues. Being on a D3 team here at Cortland, you’re always doing some sort of physical activity every day at a high level. The club sports here are highly competitive and well known for their success. Joining an intramural team such as basketball, volleyball, flag football, soccer, and kickball, is a fun and competitive environment to play in, especially if you gather some of your friends and all join the same team.
Coming into college, a lot of people played a sport or multiple sports in high school. The case for some is that they completely stop, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but being on any kind of team here is like creating another family.
Another key aspect in keeping up with your health is food. With meal swipes, meal exchanges, and dining dollars, it is ultimately up to you how you fuel your body. The dining halls and on-campus restaurants provide a variety of food groups such as fruits, proteins, vegetables, grains, and dairy. The “all you can eat” perspective at the dining hall can be a challenge when there are truly no restrictions, but when actively trying to prioritize your health there needs to be limits. With late nights, it can be hard as well in regards to over-snacking, binging, or not eating at all. Staying up past your usual bedtime studying can lead to an ineffective change in appetite.
Tying into this, good sleep is crucial, even though it may not seem like it. Yes, everyone will have late nights or early mornings that mess up their usual schedule, but it’s essential to get back on track. Lack of sleep can lead to downfall of academic or athletic performance, metabolic slowdown or buildup, mental health decrease and much more. Eight hours of sleep is ideal when possible.
Taking all of these ideas into consideration, the “Freshman 15” is absolutely avoidable if you take the appropriate steps to become the best version of yourself. As you spend your first year without being home, or with parents, it can definitely be difficult. Utilizing the resources around you, such as athletic programs, the SLC, dining halls, and even your sleep schedule, will help you feel more productive and confident as it becomes part of your daily routine.