Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:34 PM CDT
College freshmen should keep wellness in mind
By ANNIE GETSINGER, Staff Writer
DECATUR — With parties, football games, late-night pizza runs and oh yeah, class, going away to college can be an overwhelming experience for some first-year students. Decatur residents who remember going through that trying first year offered their tips for the health and wellness necessary to achieve academic success and have a little fun.
Rickey Spivey, 23, arts and dance coordinator for the Decatur Family YMCA, graduated from Millikin University in May.
“I think that when you first go to college, it’s a huge shock to your body for one, so just kind of easing into new habits,” Spivey offered as his first piece of advice.
College marked later bedtimes and a later start most mornings than Spivey was used to in high school, and he said that becoming accustomed to new freedoms seems a difficult transition for many.
“You don’t have to be perfect, but just make better choices,” he said. “Instead of having two pieces of pizza, have one.”
Russel Boulton, 21, a Millikin senior studying music education, interacts with first-year students on a regular basis. He’s a third-year resident assistant in Hessler Hall.
“Have fun,” he said. “And I don’t mean that as in, ‘Go do all the things you couldn’t do when you were in high school.’
“More so, get outside, enjoy the weather.”
Boulton encouraged students to find an activity that gets them involved, active and motivated.
“Find something that you can do that isn’t books,” he said, but don’t ignore academics.
Troy Roenfanz, 33, a YMCA fitness coach, finished his undergraduate studies at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1997.
Roenfanz, who started the Decatur Tri-Gators triathlon club, compared the outlook needed in college to the balance for which multi-sport athletes strive.
Also a minister, Roenfanz urged college students not to ignore their spiritual and emotional needs when they go away from home.
“I think faith has a lot about encouragement, hope,” he said. “Humans need hope to live. If they feel empty inside, it really shows on the outside. Whether that’s relationships with God or relationships with others and being connected, I think it’s so important for young adults to get connected — even if it’s working out together.”
Contact Annie Getsinger at agetsinger@herald-review.com or 421-6968.
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