To all of the incoming freshman and transfer students, I’d like to commend you. You have made one of the best decisions of your life by choosing to attend Mississippi State University.
In the past two years I’ve spent here, I’ve learned so much. Academia aside, I’ve learned things textbooks couldn’t possibly teach. I’ve made friends I will have the rest of my life and have gotten involved in organizations I love. MSU provides you with so much more than just a degree.
That being said, I’d like to share five easy ways to stay healthy during your first year of college:
1.Use your meal plan wisely. You are required as a freshman to have one, so use it! Meal plans include block meals to be used in the Perry or Templeton cafeterias, and flex dollars to use in places like the Union. Try to use all of your block meals; you’re paying for them, and if you don’t use them by the end of the year, they go away. Don’t waste flex dollars, and eat at Perry. When you eat more meals at the cafeteria, you can enjoy the flex dollars all year especially around finals when you just need that $4 cup of coffee from Starbucks. Don’t eat Chick-fil-A for every single meal; those flex dollars disappear quickly. 

2.Eat enough food. Be aware of how many calories you consume and establish a routine. I know from personal experience living off of diet green tea and Wheat Thins during rush week/band camp does NOT work. I caught the swine flu and missed my first three days of class. Make sure you eat often and enough. Eat breakfast, even if it means eating a granola bar as you frantically run across campus to make it to your 8 a.m. biology lab. Skipping meals is not healthy. Establish a routine for your body so you don’t starve in between meals and end up eating too much. I stated before not to eat Chic-fil-A too often; a fried chicken sandwich, fries and sauce packs a ton of calories. Don’t deny yourself the occasional indulgence, but make smart choices, like eating a grilled chicken sandwich with a fruit cup on days when you want Chick-fil-A. There is a variety of healthy options in Perry, too.
3. Get enough sleep. I know one of the glorious stereotypes of college life is pulling all-nighters, but I promise they aren’t worth the groggy hangover. Don’t spend your afternoon free time watching re-runs of “Grey’s Anatomy” on Netflix and then stay up all night studying for your calculus test. Manage your time in the day wisely so you will get enough sleep, and use your free time after your work is finished to do leisurely activities. 

4. Take advantage of all of the opportunities to get active. Intramural sports are a great way to get involved, meet new people and get some exercise. There are tons of sports to choose from, such as basketball, soccer and inner tube water polo. Remember MSU has an awesome workout facility for your use. The Sanderson Center has just about every workout machine you can imagine, a running track, weight rooms, an indoor pool and fun classes like Zumba and spinning.
5. Relax, pipe down and don’t stress yourself over things that won’t matter in 10 years. If you try out to be a Roadrunner, Alumni Delegate or anything else and get rejected by all of them, it’s going to be okay. Life goes on, and your college experience will be just as fulfilling. Stay on top of your schoolwork, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Teachers and tutors are more than willing to help you stay on track. If you do that and attend class, I promise life will be so much easier for you. During this first year, you have the opportunity to set the bar high for your college GPA. Don’t ruin it by being careless. Use common sense and have fun; it’s as simple as that.
I hope this advice will help you make good decisions this fall. Hail state!
Mary Chase Breedlove is a sophomore majoring in communication. She can be contacted at [email protected].