Tips to Help Your Student Be Healthy

Being well at college is an important foundation to do well at college. Poor eating and sleeping habits coupled with stress overload and group living arrangements can wreak havoc on a college student. You can help by encouraging your student to adopt healthy habits.

Managing Stress

Stress is the most commonly identified barrier to academic performance among college students. It also is a top reason students seek counseling assistance. BW's Counseling Services offers numerous resources that can help.

Eating

Adjusting to dining on campus can be challenging. Students cite less-defined meal times and a myriad of options as variables that require them to recalibrate their eating habits. Weight gain or loss beyond a few pounds can be indicative of stress, poor eating habits, lack of exercise or other factors.

Sleeping

Stress and anxiety, an over-scheduled agenda with little down time, late night studying and too much caffeine can lead to insomnia for some students. Sleep hygiene – including the lighting and sound in a room and students’ pre-bedtime habits – can also influence students’ quantity and quality of sleep.

Over-the-counter sleeping aids can compound the situation because they can leave a student drowsy the next morning and unable to function. If your student is experiencing prolonged insomnia, suggest a visit to the Health Services to talk with a nurse.

Exercising

Exercise is an important component of wellness. It can boost energy, release tension, prevent illness and improve sleep. The Lou Higgins Recreation Center is the perfect place for students to socialize and work out.

Likewise, BW's aesthetic campus offers students a scenic and casual way to get exercise. In addition to walking to classes, students can walk to the Cleveland Metroparks, Coe Lake, the Berea Library, downtown Berea and other places of interest.