College First Aid Kit – What to Pack

Though major medical implements should be left to the professionals, basic first aid supplies will come in very handy for any college student. Cuts and bruises pop up from time to time and it’s important to be able to handle them quickly easily. Work with your roommate or other people on your floor to build a communal First Aid Kit for whatever affliction may arise!

What else would you pack? Post a comment!

 

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Food(s) for Thought

Having trouble concentrating while writing a paper, studying for a test, or working on a project? I’ve been there plenty of times whether it was for a big paper or studying for a midterm. Here are some foods and drinks that could help you improve your studying next semester – brain food, if you will.

Peppermint Tea:  Researchers have discovered that smelling the peppermint scent increases the body’s concentration performing tedious tasks.

Blueberries are the perfect study snack!

Trail Mix: This easy snack, consisting of raisins and nuts, will provide you with a healthy snack.  Raisins are beneficial because they contain potassium, which transforms sugar into energy.  Nuts add magnesium to your body, which helps nerves, muscle, and metabolism functions.  Higher levels of magnesium in your body help prevent fatigue, so you’ll be able to study longer!

Coffee: Coffee starts off your day with your body feeling revitalized and fresh.  The drink also helps with short-term memory.  However, try to stay away from adding additional syrups, sprinkles, or whipped cream which in this case does not help the body. In addition, no amount of caffeine is a substitute for a good night’s sleep so rest up!

Blueberries: This fruit is a great source for long-term memory and improves cognitive processing. Plus, they’re delicious!

Remember to always eat right, take study breaks, and get plenty of sleep. You’ll be headed for the Dean’s List in no time!

Written by Guest Blogger, Matt Goldberg

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Back To School: Avoiding the Freshman 15

Everyone warns incoming students about the dreaded “Freshman 15,” but nobody really shares how to avoid it. Here are some ideas that I have used myself as a freshman AND some healthy practices that I have recently learned during my recent research of healthy dieting. Some of the ideas are from WebMD while others are from Teen Health.

  • Eat: This might sound like a weird way to lose or maintain weight, but skipping meals messes with your metabolism (which makes you gain weight). This includes eating breakfast too! It’s the most important meal of the day because it gives you energy to get going and prevents overeating. Way back in September, we made a plea for all college students to start eating breakfasts. Missed it? Check it out here (you’re welcome).
  • Eat Slower: Ever wolfed down a whole meal and felt like you ate nothing at all? Eating slower will trick your stomach into thinking it’s full. You might want to consider drinking a glass of water before eating as well. Sometimes the body mistakes thirst for hunger so consider some H2O before chowing down.
  • Avoid Late Night Snacking: I’m familiar with the problem. It gets late, your stomach starts growling and – rather than finding something healthy – we all grab what’s most convenient. The stuff you eat this late probably isn’t healthy at all and it just sits in your stomach all night while you sleep. If you must grab

    We love Jillian Michaels' workout DVD!

    something, opt for something light.

  • Exercise: Whether it’s going to the gym, walking through town with your friends, or walking around campus instead of taking a shuttle bus…anything helps. My friends and I all chipped in on a few workout DVDs that really get you going. Working out with friends is always more fun than doing it yourself so consider the investment.
  • Choose Water: You should be drinking 8 cups of water a day in order to stay hydrated and healthy. In addition, water has no sugar or calories unlike soda or juice which are usually chock full of both.
  • Am I really hungry?: I know that when I’m bored or stressed, I snack. DON’T! In addition to this, watch your mindless snacking while watching TV too. My roommate and I used to eat Goldfish like it was our jobs…and barely noticed! If you must, pour yourself a small bowl and don’t go back for a refill.
  • Healthy Snacks: Instead of chips or other carb-heavy snacks, pick yogurt, cheese, veggies, fruits, nuts, or hummus. These are all on the healthier side and will fill you up faster.

Avoiding the Freshman 15 doesn’t have to be difficult! Follow these easy steps and you should be good! If you need help, enlist your roommate!

What tips do you have for your friends and peers about how to avoid the Freshman 15?

Written by Guest Blogger, Maria Cafferata

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The 25 Healthiest Colleges in the U.S.

We all know which schools are considered the “smartest” and which schools offer superior athletic teams, but do we ever pay attention to which schools are considered the healthiest? Luckily, the people over at Greatist decided to take it upon themselves to see how different schools are doing their part to provide students with a health-conscious environment. Using a rigorous scoring process, they narrowed it down to the 25 Healthiest Colleges in the US. We’re taking a look at a few of the schools that made the cut.

#11 Yale University: Did you know that aside from a diligent student population, Yale also boasts an on-campus garden? Perhaps this is why the university is highly-rated for its offerings of healthy and organic foods! They get an A+ for food from College Prowler, a website dedicated to college reviews for students and by students.

#14 Rice University: At Rice, student meal plans are unlimited which means plenty of opportunity to put together healthy and balanced meals. In addition, they offer an extensive well-being resource site and have a ton of health and fitness events put together by the rec department. Maybe this is why they have the happiest students according to the Princeton Review!

#18 Stephen F. Austin State University: This Texas university offers a lazy river, a rock wall, and sand volleyball courts – perfect for the active student. Health-conscious students also have extensive access to nutrition information on the school’s dining website.

#19 Tufts University: Need a little TLC before a long night of studying? Stop by the Tufts University Health Center where the school offers chiropractic treatment and

massage therapy. The majority of students – about 70% – deem this service both convenient and high-quality! I feel relaxed just thinking about it.

#22 Oberlin College: Students at Oberlin are often grateful for the wide variety of vegetarian, vegan, and organic meal options available on campus. They also have the option to take part in a co-op which includes cooking and eating with a group of students with similar preferences. Parents of students can feel at ease knowing there is a 24-hour nurse line open for any health situation that might arise.

For the complete results, check out the full article here. Do you think your school should be on the list? Post a comment below!

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Fresh Goals for Spring: Remain Fruitful, Fit and Fashionable.

College is the time to perfect a healthy, productive, and fashionable lifestyle. Though procrastination frequently permeates most college campuses, it is up to us to overcome our own habitual idleness. By staying active in our studies, exercising regularly, and taking care of our bodies, we will be able to look and feel our best. Check out our list of goals to help you get started!

How to Stay Fruitful:

  • Purchase a planner and stick to the deadlines you set
  • Join study groups and remain actively committed to class-related responsibilities
  • Determine which time-management area you struggle with and outline a plan to improve

How to Stay Fit:

  • Join an exercise class to attend 2-3 times a week (many schools offer these for free!)
  • Find a work-out buddy to help you stick to your fitness goals
  • Choose your food wisely and pay attention to portion control

How to Stay Fashionable:

  • Try ‘thrifting’ or other ways of bargain shopping (check our Style on a Budget blog for ideas!)
  • Find clothes that complement your personality and make you feel comfortable
  • Remember that looking put-together and polished is a valuable asset (especially on interviews!)

Which of these goals are you going to start working toward? Do you have any suggestions of your own? Post a comment below!

Written by Guest Blogger, Deunbra I. – Houston’s Motivator Extraordinaire

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