We’ve all seen them, those bright young people in the year above returning home from their first year at university
looking pale and ill – as though they’ve stepped off the set of the latest Twilight film. Whilst your time at university is bound to be full of reckless partying and late night fries, there are various steps you might like to take to ensure your general well-being isn’t sacrificed.
Take some exercise
Avoid Microwave Pizzas
They might be quick and easy, and some might even taste nice, but microwave pizzas, delivery pizzas, cheesy chips, kebabs, and all other forms of readily available fast food will quickly transform your body into something unrecognizable. Although it is more effort, and might cost more, cooking decent meals is vital. You can always make friends with people in the supermarkets and find out when they have good deals.
Know your limits
Although the majority of university students enjoys the drinking culture at York, it is important to appreciate that alcohol is harmful drug that should not be abused. Whilst it would be naive to expect students to stick to the government’s guidelines of 3-4 units a day, once you’ve had a few drinks there really is no need to carry on drinking until you throw up. If you find yourself attending 9:15 lectures still intoxicated, or suffering from unbearable hangovers, then it’s safe to say that you need to rein it in a bit. There’s nothing wrong with having a casual night in or just relaxing in the pub instead of getting lashed and hitting the town every night.
Don’t forget to Sleep
Staying up until three o’clock to write an essay, with a pot coffee or a case of Red Bull on hand, might seem like fun; however, it is unwise. Getting in the habit of having a decent night’s sleep when you’re not attending any social events is of vital importance in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you’re constantly tired you’ll find yourself feeling run down, getting ill more easily, struggling to do your work, and unable to take any exercise. With so much going on at university you’ll need to work at finding time to rest. If others are keeping you up when you’re feeling exhausted then ask them to go somewhere else, or invest in some earplugs.
Look after your health
Relying on paracetamol to get you through the year is a bad move. The medical centre in the middle of campus is there to help you whether you’re feeling ill, have an injury, or simply want to pick up some condoms before a romantic date to Willow. The majority of students will suffer some form of illness in the first year, so make sure you know where the medical centre is and don’t wait until you’re struggling to walk before heading over.
Respect the ducks
The birds that inhabit the University of York’s Campus will happily attack any passing student if it gets too close, particularly if they have babies (the ducks not the students), so be wary and if necessary find another path to your lecture. Don’t be fooled by their cuteness. In addition, the lakes are full of harmful microbes that can lie dormant in the body for years before manifesting in a potentially harmful illness, so drunken swimming is not advised. I should also add that I have it on good authority that killing and eating the ducks is punishable by expulsion. And considering how disgusting the lake water is they probably wouldn’t taste good anyway.