As college students, we are always on a time crunch for something. Whether it is getting that paper done on time or studying for that exam we have coming up, there’s always something that requires our full attention. We often forget to take care of ourselves when we so badly want that 4.0 and an impressive resume. Let’s look at some health mistakes that most college students make.

Time management.  With work, extracurricular activities, and class, it’s important to manage your time. If you know that you have a paper due and an exam in 2 weeks, get that paper done ASAP so you have more time to study for your exam. If you know you have class at 8:00am in the morning, don’t stay out until 2:00am the night before. If you are able to effectively manage your time, you’ll perform better and stress less. Keeping your tasks in a planner is a great way to do so. Visit the Student Congress office on the lower level of the Oakland Center to pick up a free planner!

Stressing out.  It may seem impossible to avoid stress, but there are healthy ways to cope with it. Schedule time to take a break from your busy life. Watch an episode of your favorite show on Netflix or go for walk. Whatever it is, it’s important to relax to avoid feeling overwhelmed and to maintain your mental health.

Drinking energy drinks. There is no alternative to a good night’s sleep. Drinking energy drinks like Monster, Red Bull, and Rock Star may seem like a good idea, but ingesting excess sugar and caffeine as a substitute to sleeping can cause anxiety, insomnia, mid-day energy crashes, headaches, and high blood pressure and heart rate.  In more severe cases, energy drinks can cause heart arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and seizure. If you need an energy boost, try hitting the gym, taking a nap, or eating a snack rich in proteins and complex carbohydrates.

Taking advantage of the unlimited food. We know Oakland has tons of food available, and it’s easy to overindulge in pizza and brownies at student organization meetings or in Vandenberg Dining Hall. Watch portion sizes! You don’t need pizza, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, spaghetti, and a bowl of ice cream.  Although that sounds like a tasty dinner, these are the meals that contribute to that dreaded “freshman 15”. Having a healthy diet can help you avoid heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This article is for informational purposes only. No guarantee made as to the accuracy of this information. If you are in need of medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, contact Oakland University Graham Health Center at 248-370-2341.

Upcoming environmental, health, and wellness events:

• Leaders for Environmental Awareness and Protection General Meeting, November 20th, 12:00pm – 1:00pm, Lake Superior A Room in the Oakland Center
• Wellness, Health Promotion and Injury Prevention Society Mindfulness Retreat, November 21st, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Oakland Room in the Oakland Center
• American Red Cross Club, Gleaner’s Food Bank in Pontiac, November, 21st, 9:30am – 11:30am
• Neurology Club General Meeting, December 2nd, 12:00pm – 1:00pm, Lake Michigan Room in the Oakland Center
• Student Congress Thrift 2 Gift, December 4th, 10:00am – 4:00pm, Gold Rooms ABC in the Oakland Center