When you tour Mizzou as a high schooler... most likely you are under the impression that it is just like any other college-tour. It's the typical tour guides reciting memorized "interesting" facts about the school, the opportunity to get a taste of the gourmet dining hall food, the chance to see an example of the "average" residence hall... one that so happens to be decorated in all Mizzou colors and is way too clean and organized. Don't get me wrong, the beauty of Mizzou ultimately made me decide that this school was definitely something that I couldn't pass up. I mean, Mizzou is an actual botanical garden maintained by groundkeepers here... that's pretty dang cool, right?

An influential part of the tour that almost every current student could agree on is the moment where you step foot into the Mizzou Recreational Complex. The gymnasium was originally built in 1904 for men's physical education. Fast forward a little over 100 years, and the Rothwell and Brewer Expansion Project was 100 percent complete with the finishing of the Mizzou Aquatic Center (a pool that Michael Phelps has competed in in 2007, setting the record for the Men’s 200M Butterfly: World, American, and US Open Record.... that's awesome). Since then, the Rec has been a place where people in college and living in Columbia are given access to a state-of-the-art complex that features a wide range of ways to get your work out in for the day.

Seeing the complex is a vital part of the overall tour because the best part about it is this:

What school can say that their Rec features a lazy river/whirlpool/palm tree filled dream? Ranked #2 on College Rank's "30 Best College Pools" in March 2016, The Tiger Grotto is a place that makes summer not feel so distant, and vacations not so rare. It's almost identical to some beautiful resort on the beach... right? Because those palm trees are totally real.

But I'm not here to brag about the incredible complex we have in Columbia, more about the importance of working out being in college.

You hear so much about how exercising does more than just benefit your health, yada yada. But, being in college and busy in so many other things: clubs on campus, class time, time for studying, maybe barely having time to sit down and eat. It's hard to think of being able to take even more time out of your day to make room for working out. However, the benefits.. not just physical, but also emotional and even educational, are worthwhile when it comes to being a college student.

Exercise is proven to help brain stimulation and memory retention: both of which are key for when you're studying for a test, listening to lecture after lecture, or participating actively while in class. Working out is something that distracts you from any stressors going on in your life, giving you a mini-break that brings a positive, motivated outlook on tackling whatever you need to get done.

When thinking about exercising, it's easy to immediately shift your mind to "impossible". Something that you won't be able to finish, will cut out on early, or will be a waste of time. Even I have these thoughts, way more often than I would like to admit, but it's common to be intimidated by the activity. But, working out doesn't have to feel like a punishment. There are so many different aspects about it that are so awesome, you just have to give it a chance!

The first priority to think about when hitting the gym or any physical activity is finding something that you enjoy. If you don't like it, have fun, dread the idea of ever having to do that certain workout ever again... don't do it! Of course, having to try different workouts can be an extensively-lengthy process. But once you find it, it's great. For example, if you are like me and would make up the absolute-lamest excuse to avoid running... then don't keep running. Find another workout that has the same heart-pumping benefits that running does: spinning, ellipticals, swimming (a FANTASTIC workout), Zumba... even fast-walking. Whatever attempt you have at working out... don't forget that anything you do is better than sitting on the couch. No offense to sitting on the couch though, because it's always my number 1 activity.

Another way to make the idea of working out easier on you is knowing that a short workout is NOT a bad workout. In fact, small high-intensity training periods has shown many more favorable factors in your personal health than longer workouts. It's easier than ever to look at what you have planned for the day and immediately think "I don't have any time to work out today". In some cases, that is so true because first rounds of tests and life just gets hectic. It happens. But, don't always assume that working out will take out more time of your day than it actually will.

One of my favorite discoveries about going to the gym or working out is it is a million times better if you go with a friend. The idea of that always intimidated me, partly because I didn't want to be with a friend struggling big time or not being able to keep up. But, I've learned that it's a form of motivation.. and accountability! Sign up for a class together, go on a walk, or even just go to the gym together and do your own thing while you're there. It also helps big-time going to the gym early in the morning, because you feel obligated to not sleep through your alarm if someone is waiting for you to go with them.

College is stressful and busy and incredibly time consuming. But, if you happen to have an extra break in your schedule for the day, being active is not a bad way to spend that time. It's a great way to give yourself a break from everything school-related, and you can even make a social activity out of it... what's not to love about that?