Going to college is a formative time in a person’s life.

Finally, you get the independence and the freedom you need to thrive. Living on your own, you learn how to take care of number one and take care of your finances. Plus, the realization that you can’t sponge off mom and dad forever hits home and forces you to mature. Yep, college is great but it isn’t all positive.

Concerning your health, there are issues that lots of new students suffer from and you may fall into the same trap. To avoid them, you first need to know what they are, so scroll down to learn more.

Addiction

Alcohol and drugs are readily available in dorms across the country. In some ways, you’re expected to experiment and enjoy yourself. Still, these are the types of substances that can quickly lead to an addiction. While Resolutions Behavioral Health and other clinics can help, the best cure is prevention as quitting is very tough.

The key is to party in moderation to ensure you’re not constantly drinking and staying up to the early hours. And, if you feel as if you’re lifestyle is getting out of control, speak to a trusted source and vent your feelings.

Weight Gain

If you are new to college, you’ll soon hear about the “Freshman 15.” In short, it’s the amount of weight new students gain in their first year as diet and exercise go out the window. Even though you’re young, how you take care of your body now will impact it in the future.

For example, it’s easy to get into an unhealthy eating routine. So, even when college is over, you’ll struggle to shed the pounds and get out of your sedentary lifestyle. Colleges have gyms that are free to use, so don’t be afraid to spend a few hours working out each week to tide over your body.

Homesickness

While the idea of moving away from home seems awesome, it takes some getting used to in the beginning. After all, you’ve spent the last eighteen years under one roof with a doting mom and dad who had your best interests at heart. Now, you’re in foreign surroundings with none of the same luxuries and it brings on bouts of homesickness.

All you can do is attack life as best as possible. By making new friends and creating a positive routine, the feelings will soon go away. But, don’t forget to keep in touch with family and friends from back home.

Stress

High cortisol levels are something you would expect to find in a middle-aged, middle manager and not a freshman. However, the pressure to leave college with a good degree and start paying back thousands of dollars’ worth of loans is huge. Some people cope with it and others struggle. Those that are in the latter category need to find ways to relieve the stress to avoid falling into depression.

You already know about exercise and there is having fun with friends too. Also, try to gain perspective to stay on an even keel.