In less than two months you will be arriving on Gonzaga’s campus and beginning a whole new adventure. Over the course of orientation you will be taught about the culture of Gonzaga, meet tons of other Zags and be expected to at least remember the names of the buildings. And then, come Tuesday, classes begin. The first few months of college are both incredibly exciting and busy. And while the balancing of school, a social life and extracurriculars can become difficult, it is incredibly important to remember self-care.
Self-care includes actions that one takes to take care of their physical, emotional and mental well-being. In order to avoid burn-out from the stress of being at college, it is incredibly important to make sure you are taking care of yourself. On campus we have several resources that make the balancing act a bit easier.
Physical Well Being:
Food:
While many students may laugh at the freshman 15, I am here to tell you that it is very real. While the COG offers a buffet-style type of eating, many of those pounds will be from outside the dining area. Try to avoid eating within two hours of bedtime and as much fun as it is to claim that Cup-of-Noodles are the easiest foods on a college budget, they are rarely the best choice.
Exercise:
The Rudolph Center is open seven days a week and till 11pm Monday through Thursday. There are several options of cardio machines upstairs and free-weights downstairs. Exercise is an important aspect of your physical well-being and has many positive impacts on your mental health. If you need more motivation to get to the gym, you can also register for physical education classes such as yoga or spin.
Mental Well Being:
Mental well-being can be interpreted differently from person to person. Everyone is unique in how they are able to digest information and calm down from a busy day. If you are more introverted, then going to the gazebo on campus or to the Special Collections section on the third floor of Foley library may help you to decompress. However, if you are more extroverted, hanging out in the Starbuck’s lounge in the Hemmingson Center will give you the opportunity to catch up with friends.
Another tried and true way of relaxing is through meditation. As corny as it may sound, simply taking five minutes out of your day to focus on breathing – in for eight counts through your nose and out your month for 6 counts – can help you recollect your thoughts. Within the Hemmingson Center, on the third floor, there is a quiet reflection room that is a perfect area for relaxing.
If at any point during your time at Gonzaga University you feel that talking to someone outside of your peers and professors would be helpful, the Health and Counseling Services Center offers free counseling services.
Self-care is a fantastic step to take in combating stress. Learning how to balance commitments in college is an important way that Gonzaga “intentionally develops the whole person – intellectually, spiritually, physically and emotionally.” Again, congratulations on becoming a Zag and we look forward to having you on campus in the fall.
Sophie Oswald is the Program GUide for Friday & Saturday of Orientation. She is a senior biology major and psychology minor.