The Bods are Back!

Welcome to all college students beginning their Fall semesters! While some universities are just getting started, the Bods already have a full week under their belts. Here’s wishing everyone a wonderful start to this academic year.

Now that we are stepping back into college life, this blog is going to get a bit more focused. I will be taking on some more specific topics relating to us as beginner adults, the college lifestyle, campus events, and the like. I’ll also be including some links for you guys to other information or extras that I find fascinating and resourceful.

So let’s begin!

First, a note to this year’s freshman: Welcome! I so appreciate seeing all of you on campus. I love seeing all of the new faces as well as some already familiar. A few friends of my own have joined the Ichabod family this year!

                                                          (Photo credit goes to Anthony Hendricks.)

Already, I see you guys settling in very well. You are finding your groups, people with common interests and hobbies. You are making your way through your classes and finding new ways to study and explore information. You are getting involved with campus, looking for ways to connect with others and the community. It is beautiful to watch.

There are some serious adjustments to make regarding responsibilities in college – specifically, academically and socially.

There are difficult decisions to make even in just the first few weeks of class. You may decide you have to find a job…or quit a job. You may need to rearrange your classes, or take different classes altogether. I’ve already had to drop one class and make some changes in my schedule. Realizing when you have too heavy of a load is extremely important, by the way. Do not overwork yourself. Talk to people. Talk to your advisors. Talk to your professors. Get a feel for the kind of load you can handle.

The second part of this is regarding roommates and the friends you make on campus. I cannot express this enough, bonding is important! Spend time with your roommates and experience each other. Learn what each other’s expectations are and how to respect those boundaries. If you have any sort of trouble coming to an agreement, you can always take it to an RA. They are all super helpful and willing to give you dorm-living advice. In class, do take the time to get to know those around you. IT IS SCARY, I KNOW. And it feels super sketchy to be the one who initiates a conversation with a stranger. But it could be worth it! I met my best friends on campus just by taking risks and getting to know people in ways that were totally out of my comfort zone.

So here’s to the start of a wonderful semester! Go forth and make it great! I can’t wait to see where this year leads…

Feeling the Need for a Healthier Me

I am not an active person.

In fact…I actively avoid being active when that activity is specifically exercise. I am not exaggerating here. 

The gym is my hell.

However, I do enjoy being outside.

In order to get myself to exercise, I have to make it enjoyable, exciting and adventurous. I love going for a walk to explore, hoola-hooping, one-woman dance parties, etc. When I was younger, I even had a Skip-It! 

Do they still make those things? I loved the crap out of that thing until the day it finally died.

This summer, I have been terribly inactive. The heat, the asthma, the sweat – I use them all as great excuses. With their help, I can effortlessly turn away any thought of leaving the comfort of the couch.

But I really should be doing more to take care of myself.

So recently, I started missing my old bike. It broke during my sophomore year of high school, but I was already driving by then so there was no immediate need to replace it. Lately, I miss the thrill I got out of it. It was wonderful and exciting to ride. I loved the rush of wind through my hair as I imagined myself, not in the Tour de France, but as a daring bike messenger in risky New York City.

So one morning a couple of weeks ago, I borrowed my brother’s bicycle for a quick ride. Granted, it was a tad bit small, but it rode just the same. I took it for a lap around the park.

AND MY GOSH DOES THAT HURT. My knees were screaming before I was halfway around the track. Clearly, I am super out of practice…and athletic shape in general. (Actually I don't think I've ever existed in any sort of athletic shape.)

But I got the rush I was looking for - and a bit of much needed inspiration!

While I haven't been on a ride since, I am thinking about my health and wellness as well as compiling a list of easy ways to take care of myself and develop a healthier lifestyle. I'm even thinking of investing in a bike to get around campus this semester!

Now, I’m not the kind of person who can make drastic changes easily or “go cold turkey” off of anything. So I guess the first step for me personally, is just being mindful. I can start by being actively aware of what food I’m putting in my body and how I employ it, as well as recognizing how both affect my well-being.

Plan for updates on this subject to come…