Photo by Zen Chung from Pexels
Students have been heading off to college to study for centuries, but the role that colleges have played in their life has changed a great deal over the years. Colleges today are concerned about nurturing not just their students’ intellectual growth but their overall mental and physical health.
Why Encourage Wellness?
Universities have a duty to educate their students, but why do they need to attend to their well-being in other ways? Many attendees struggle with depression and anxiety, and this can affect their academic performance. With an eye on these issues as well as physical health, colleges are in a better position to serve a more diverse student body more effectively. Approaching the student as a whole person and taking steps to attend to their needs means that colleges can deliver their educational mission more effectively.
Telehealth for Convenience
One of the major innovations for colleges looking to expand their services is the growth of telehealth on campuses. This offers several advantages that complement the services already provided by traditional campus health clinics. Telehealth gives students who are more comfortable in an online environment the opportunity to seek out help in that way. In addition, it can mean that help is available to them at any time. Increasingly, this type of service matters in choosing which school to attend when it’s time for decisions to be made.
Facilities
Campuses that can offer gyms and recreation activities make it easier for students to start or continue an exercise program even if they can’t afford a membership with a regular gym in town or the expensive equipment that might be necessary to pursue some types of sports. Clubs and classes also give them the opportunity to try out many different activities, which can make them more likely to stick with them. Additional features, such as a pool for swimming laps, can make the campus a particularly attractive choice.
Eating Choices
There are a lot of stereotypes about college students and what they eat and drink. The legendary “freshman 15” refers to the weight that they allegedly put on in the first year as they indulge in too much take-out. The popular image of students is that they’re up late partying and drinking alcohol or studying and drinking coffee. Even if these stereotypes are not true for many or most, plenty do not have the best eating habits or do not even know what they are. Colleges can provide nourishing food and clean eating meals that detox the body as well as information on how to eat a healthier diet. They can also provide recipes and other information that can help them shop for and prepare better food.
A Holistic Approach
Ultimately, the aim of these programs should be to produce better-rounded, more productive students who are able to achieve balance across many different areas of their lives. Colleges can integrate this throughout their curriculum and campus resources, with opportunities to learn more about improving their health across many different metrics. These could range from tips on getting adequate sleep to the importance of social interaction and support and more, with peer counseling options alongside professional help.