One-Stop Shopping for Fitness, Health, and Nutrition…Who Knew?!
by Armeney Derderian

Welcome back college students! As you all gradually move back into your dorm rooms, you may be realizing a few new things. Number one: all of those DVDs you just dragged up three flights of stairs are a lot heavier than they were four months ago. Number two: you are out of breath after that vicious haul. Number three: all of those awesome Christmakkah clothes you just got over break are already a bit uncomfortable. AWESOME! We are all on the EXACT same page. Know why? Because…YOU ARE OUT OF SHAPE and SO AM I! So, I am here to clue you in as to how to feel better about yourself, and no, sorry, it doesn’t include a “Laguna Beach” binge and mom’s sweet home-made cookies.

What most college students fail to realize is that tuition ~ you know, that thing that’s responsible for your actually having to pay in nickels and dimes at Dunkin Donuts ~ covers more than just lectures three times a week. Seeing as how it doesn’t cover books, and obviously not those parking fees that seem to be reproducing by the second in your glove compartment, it must be used towards something, right? OK, I know that “I Love The 80’s Part 15” is on right now, but if you take this opportunity to walk around the campus instead of watching “Bob” commercials (again), then you might just notice things like, I dunno, The Gym, The Track, maybe even The Dining Hall. Did she just ask us to go to the dining hall?! Or one of those places where (gulp) people sweat? Yeah, I definitely did. And here’s why ~ How about….

THE FITNESS FACILITIES

Most, if not all schools, offer a Fitness Facility. MEMBERSHIP (if you can even call it that) IS FREE. That’s right kids, I told you tuition covered more than just lectures. Let’s focus in on one school and I’ll give you the run-down. Assumption College has a six lane swimming pool, racquetball courts, “multi-purpose” (aka basketball/indoor soccer/waffle ball) courts (with scoreboards, for all you crazy-competitive freaks out there), dance studios, a jogging/walking track…. They don’t even call it a running track! It is a jogging/walking track. And no, walking from the bathroom back to your futon does not count as exercise! OK, if you aren’t into the track, try one of the saunas! Do you know that saunas are relaxing and can be good for you? Now it’s time to hit the actual “fitness” part. Ready? Got your water bottle? OK ~ treadmills, Stairmasters, rowing machines, bikes, free weights, body builders….feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, Assumption and all the other consortium schools have trained staff on hand to help you use the machines correctly. Feeling shy? You can even bring a friend, FOR FREE. Ah, but yes, there is more to life, at least-a healthy life, than just physical exercise. And that brings us to…

HEALTH SERVICES

HS is another service that you might have overlooked thus far. Here we’re talking about the primarily “non-physical” type of health, since mental and emotional health are just as important as being physically fit. Becker’s Counseling Services is a great example of what many schools provide. Becker’s list of services includes individual counseling, support groups, referrals for off-campus needs like medication, evaluation, referrals for psychological emergencies, and educational resources such as books, tapes, and DVDs. It is important to make a note of these services both for your own use and in case a friend needs a little help. Remember I said “primarily non-physical?” Well, that’s because Health Services also offers information about and help with issues like drinking, drugs, and sexual health. Yeah, I know, you’ve got all that covered. But do me a favor and just keep in the back of your mind that HS is there just in case…like the emergency twenty-dollar bill that you have hidden in your sock drawer. They’re out to make sure that you have someplace to go and someone to talk to about any question you may have about health ~ mental, physical, or emotional.

NUTRITION

Ah yes, the Dining Hall. But who needs a place like that when grandma sends you an endless supply of brownies and Pizza Hut delivers in twenty minutes or less? Well, we all do, because the Dining Hall offers the kinds of food necessary to stay healthy. Now, I am not about to lecture you all on the food pyramid (which, by the way, is NOT candy, cookies, beer, pizza, popcorn, and Mac and cheese). But I will give you this example: Clark offers vegetarian options at all meals. So ~ when you’re ready to consider something other than chocolate pudding as a main course, there ARE other options. ‘Nuff said.

I’ve only mentioned a few colleges as direct examples, but most schools, including Holy Cross, WPI, Anna Maria, Nichols, Worcester State, and Tufts, have programs nearly identical to the ones mentioned. So no claiming that “Well, my school probably doesn’t have…” Nice try, but no cigar. Now hurry up! Why are you still sitting reading this article?! Summer is only five months away! Spring Break is only three months away! Shake a leg and meet me at the gym!