Starting college is a big milestone for young adults, thrusting them into new routines, unfamiliar environments and new social circles. Whether it’s juggling the responsibilities of coursework, trying to make new friends, joining clubs or just learning how to live independently, college can be overwhelming.
One way college students practice self-care through this transition is by prioritizing diet and exercise.
Students can access dining halls, nearby restaurants and food delivery services, all of which make meals accessible and influence their food choices.
Convenience plays a significant role in students’ meal choices. Many students opt for dining halls because they are the most accessible option, especially during busy weekdays. Northeastern first-year students are required to be on a meal plan, which provides them access to all three dining halls on campus: International Village, or IV, Stetson East and Stetson West.
Located in Stetson West, students can also use their meal swipes to purchase items from Outtakes, a grocery-store style spot for food, or students can pick up its “grab and go” pre-prepared food options.
IV is a popular dining hall for students seeking healthier food. Salvador Gutierrez, a first-year business administration major, chooses IV for its expansive options.
“There’s a lot more variety at IV than other dining halls, and the options are healthier overall,” Gutierrez said.
Other students pointed to Stetson East as a good option for those who want to build their meals by visiting the various stations including “Menutainment,” where students can get eggs any style, or “Cucina,” where food options vary depending on the day.
“I like [Stetson East] because I can make my own salad, and that feels like the healthiest thing for me,” said Ari Dejman, a first-year industrial engineering major, who says he emphasizes staying physically active.
The Student Government Association’s Dining Advisory Board, in collaboration with the university, revamped Northeastern’s dining plans in fall 2024. Now, students are allotted a set number of meals per semester, instead of per week, allowing for more flexibility.
“I go to IV since it is really big and has so much to offer — particularly the sushi is my favorite. I also live in IV so it makes it much easier for me, especially in the winter, to not have to leave my building,” said Andrea Galicot, a first-year nursing major.
Another element of staying healthy during college is exercising, but workout habits vary across the student body. Northeastern’s Boston campus has two gyms available to students: Marino Recreation Center and SquashBusters Center.
Esther Esses, a first-year public relations major, regularly works out at the gym.
“I go to the gym every day,” Esses said.“It’s just part of my schedule now.”
Galicot believes regular exercise is essential for both physical fitness and mental health, especially when balancing the stress of classes.
“I make it a priority to workout once a day. It’s a good break from studying and helps me feel more balanced,” she said.
Students also have the opportunity to participate in one of Northeastern’s over 25 intramural or 64 club teams including lacrosse, rugby and badminton.
“I love playing soccer and tennis with my friends, but with our different schedules, it is hard to find the time,” Dejman said.
While some make it a daily habit, others struggle to find time between studying and hanging out with friends. Leah Melul, a first-year nursing major, explained finding time between studying, going to class and daily chores makes it difficult to find an hour or two to workout.
“I don’t workout every day because sometimes it doesn’t fit in my schedule,” she said.
For busy students, exercise is typically one of the first things eliminated from their schedule, according to research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Additionally, students such as Melul and Esses reported that working out is not challenging when it is part of their routine but tends to be hard when there is no one holding them accountable or when they’re feeling lazy.
For students with dietary restrictions, finding healthy meals in dining halls can be difficult.
“Finding good food options was hard because I’m kosher,” Melul said.
She structures her day around lunch to find the time to go to IV, the only dining hall with a kosher station.
For some students, not having access to a kitchen in the dorms is the hardest part of eating in college.
“It was a struggle to find healthy food when I couldn’t cook,” said Sophia Vugmayster, a third-year business administration major. “The dining halls didn’t always have good options.”
Additionally, the unlimited access to junk food and sweets adds to the challenge of eating healthy.
“Cookies and desserts were so accessible,” said Katia Villafane, a fourth-year health science major who explained that the accessibility to junk food made it harder to maintain healthy habits early on.
“Finding a routine in college is very difficult, especially as a first year, but over time everyone gets the hang of it, and you can really tell what your priorities are,” Villafane said.
