College Kid Woes

Ariberri9

I'm a 20-year-old junior in college studying Actuarial Science and Economics; and over the past six weeks, I have been doing really well keeping up with my diet and exercise regimen. However, that all came crashing down this week.

This week and next week are my final exams.

I have not been to the gym in three days; and my eating habits are poor because I am so busy studying, doing events (I am Vice President of an organization), working on my Honors Thesis for my university's Honors Program, working part time, planning my production for next year (I am the Director of The Vagina Monologues, which is being shown at my university) and doing photoshoots. I'm also studying for Exam P, an important Actuarial Science exam that requires 300 hours of study time. I'm not eating junk food...but I'm only eating once or twice per day and gorging when I DO eat.

I keep beating myself up for falling away from my diet and exercise routine (which is 1300 calories every day and working out for 65 minutes five times per week). Any advice on how to deal with this situation? Words of wisdom, encouragement, or critiques are accepted. Thank you!

Ariberri9

Bump!

slkehl

I bike to school and back. That way I get a little exercise in everyday. Also, you may find you focus better and feel more refreshed after exercising, which can make you more productive. So it may be worth it to take a half hour out of your day a few times a week to work out. Going to the gym can take a lot of time though. Jog around your neighborhood or do strength exercises (planks, lunges, ect) in your apartment.

Eating healthy is easy, with some planning. Cook up some stuff during the weekend so you can have leftovers. Pack lunch/dinner so you can eat it wherever and be sure to stick in some snacks too. Lean cuisine has healthy freezer meals. I find I can think a lot better when I'm not hungry too!

Tzippy7

Girl I can totally relate!
lol the gym at my college isnt even open during finals week!

I have a few things that have helped me though.
1) Even if everything else is happening at weird times, keep a regular eating schedule. (i know it sucks and its hard but its super important, it reduces cravings and stress eating)
2) If you are going to a study group bring your own snacks (apples, oranges, almonds etc. ) and bring a water bottle.
3) Use short workouts as motivation. For example, on my ipod I have 5-10 min workouts for arms, abs, legs, butt etc. These are free apps! So I set goals for myself. After I write 2 pages i do an ab workout or something similar. That way even if you dont have time to go to the gym you can get a small workout and a quick study break that gets your blood pumping and actually helps you focus.
4) WATER WATER WATER. just drink water all the time.

Anyway that is my guide for how to survive the end of the semester as a college student haha

Ariberri9

I bike to school and back. That way I get a little exercise in everyday. Also, you may find you focus better and feel more refreshed after exercising, which can make you more productive. So it may be worth it to take a half hour out of your day a few times a week to work out. Going to the gym can take a lot of time though. Jog around your neighborhood or do strength exercises (planks, lunges, ect) in your apartment.

Eating healthy is easy, with some planning. Cook up some stuff during the weekend so you can have leftovers. Pack lunch/dinner so you can eat it wherever and be sure to stick in some snacks too. Lean cuisine has healthy freezer meals. I find I can think a lot better when I'm not hungry too!

Unfortunately, I live in a residence hall at my university; but I can make it work! Thank you so much for your help, and best of luck on your goals.

Ariberri9

Girl I can totally relate!
lol the gym at my college isnt even open during finals week!

I have a few things that have helped me though.
1) Even if everything else is happening at weird times, keep a regular eating schedule. (i know it sucks and its hard but its super important, it reduces cravings and stress eating)
2) If you are going to a study group bring your own snacks (apples, oranges, almonds etc. ) and bring a water bottle.
3) Use short workouts as motivation. For example, on my ipod I have 5-10 min workouts for arms, abs, legs, butt etc. These are free apps! So I set goals for myself. After I write 2 pages i do an ab workout or something similar. That way even if you dont have time to go to the gym you can get a small workout and a quick study break that gets your blood pumping and actually helps you focus.
4) WATER WATER WATER. just drink water all the time.

Anyway that is my guide for how to survive the end of the semester as a college student haha

Oh, gosh, really?! That's awful. I'd suffer if my gym weren't open during finals. Thanks for the advice! I've had nothing but water (and the occasional smoothie) for weeks now. It's worked wonders on my stamina! Best of luck to you.

sweetpotatofry

I second the shorter workouts tip! Also, just wanted to pop in and say I'm also studying for actuarial exams :sad: Mine is coming up May 11 (CAS 3L) and I'm sooo worried about not passing. :sick: Good luck to the both of us!!

shaunte92

I wish I could tell you that there's a magic solution to this problem... but there's not . There will be a week or two spread out of the semester when your schedule will be so hectic that it will be too tough to get in the gym as much as you usually do. HOWEVER, you are never to busy to eat healthy! Even if your eating schedule has to be a different, go out of you way to make healthy possible choice at the moment. Snack on low calorie veggies and fruits and throw in some popcorn (I'm a snacker when I study unfortunately). Not working out is one thing, but not working out and eating crappy will erase the good work you've been putting in... and when that happens (I've been there before), it sucks! And then when the exams and tests pasts you'll still be in the slump and you'll need extra motivation to do right... and by the time you do you'll be 5-10 pounds heavier, and have to re-lose that. Also, even if you can't work out 6 days a week because finals are coming up, try to go maybe get up early on Saturday and Sunday, instead of sleeping in late. GO TO THE GYM THEN 2x is better than 0x. If you have time to party at all during the weekend, you also have time to work out!
.... That being said, it's easy for me to say this NOW, but we'll see how I do during finals next week, lol! But I only have 2 finals and one paper, so I'm going for perfection.

LiddyBit

I suggest finding time to make and package some healthy meals that you can eat at room temp and on the go. Try not to slip on your diet but don't beat yourself up if you do. Same for working out. Let it go for a few weeks. It won't kill you and you can make up for it later, but you can't re-sit your exams. Focus on that. The gym will still be there when you're done.

MCsAngel2

I'm not a traditional college student, I'm turning 40 next week and I take classes part time in addition to working as an accountant full time. I'm studying for finals right now too (Just finished reading 300 pages over yesterday and today!), so I feel your pain.

My honest reaction is that you really need to cut yourself a break. Finals and studying is a big huge deal, and unless your daily diet and excersise regimen is critical to a health issue, it needs to take a back seat to doing what needs to get done this week.

If I were in your shoes (as a full time student), I would absolutely forget about excercise this week and not give a second thought to how much crap I was eating. You can go back to your healthy regimen next week, but you only have one shot at winding up the semester with good grades.

ETA: Sorry if my post was unhelpful. I seem to be the dissenting vote here. :-)

LiddyBit

No, I think you're totally right MCsAngel2. You can't get too dogmatic about your regime when something so important requires 100% of your focus (like finals!).

Sharonks

Try to fit in a minute or 2 of exercise. I know I come up for air periodically just because my brain hurts! A few tricep dips, a 30 second plank, a few pushups or crunches. I sometimes do a few squats or jog in place. Do your best to eat decently. Other than that, don't beat yourself up too much. You've got a lot on your plate right now.