Even with a busy schedule, eating healthy and exercising are possible!

It’s a well known fact that college is a stressful time for most. For most, classes present some of the hardest material they’ve ever had to learn. Combine that with various sports, clubs, Greek life, or any one of the other thousand activities offered, and a student’s time becomes very limited. As a result of this, many fall into a never-ending cycle of poor eating habits and little to no exercise. The “freshman 15” becomes a simple fact of life for many.
Geneseo University in New York decided to take a stand against these behaviors. Their brochure “Eating and Fitness 101” welcomes students with colorful text and easy to understand information that can be utilized by countless students to begin on their journey to a healthier lifestyle. The first column presents simple tips for students such as making time for meals, reminders to stay hydrated, and a few others. Under each of these points is a short description of how and why these tips can benefit an overworked student. Next to these examples is another column in a similar format with ways to include fitness into college life. Some straightforward examples include taking an on campus fitness class, going for a walk with friends, and joining intramural sports. The rest of the brochure is flooded with tips to combat most challenges a student may face. Whether it’s “Dining Hall Dilemmas” or “Dorm Room Remedies”, this brochure has an answer to keep you on track.
It’s obvious a graphic design major didn’t put their heart and soul into this brochure. Little creativity was utilized to develop the simple dual color theme of red and blue. Still, the colorful text and precise organization offer an easy to use tool for students. It would be a perfect asset for any student who doesn’t have time to do personal research on the topic. The brochure could even be carried around in a backpack or folder for quick reference when a student is curious about what choices to make. This brochure may not be littered with fancy pictures and attractive scenes but it fills all white space with numerous examples that the students can use at a moment’s notice.
The greatest challenge would be getting students to take the time to read them. I’m sure anyone who’s walked through the hub on Penn State’s campus understands that countless flyers and packets are shoved into hands religiously. Most are too busy or focused on getting to their class on time to even give them a second glance. However, I believe anyone who took the time to read what the brochure had to offer would be pleasantly surprised. Being healthy and looking more fit is a goal that almost everyone has even if it’s been tucked into the back of their mind temporarily. I have full confidence that this brochure can serve as a paved path to success to those seemingly distant dreams that have been continuously brushed off until “one day” comes around.
Click HERE for a link to the brochure. Who knows, it might just show you a way to implement fitness and nutrition into your current “overly full” schedule.