I have always been the girl that has been into working out and improving herself- have I also mentioned how empowering it feels to push yourself to your limits, it is incredible! However, my first year at college threw me for a whirl, and I did not know how to manage everything with school on top of making time for myself.

One of the first memories I have of my freshman year of college is when I first walked up Bascom hill with my fully loaded backpack. At the top, I was out of breath and dripping sweat. I don't know if it was the blazing heat autumn had to offer us that year, or if it was the extra weight of my backpack, or if I was just that out of shape. (going to a campus with uneven landscape makes you feel more out of shape if I must say). It was at this point in my life, I realized how much I missed working out, but I felt like I had NO time to do anything for myself except learn and do homework.

At the same time, starting college and getting the swing of things made it pretty difficult for me to make time for myself and head to the gym. Let me tell you, I felt a significant difference in my health- physically, and mentally-they both declined. Not making time at the beginning of college to work out was one of the biggest mistakes I have made in my college career.

Eventually, I dreaded the way I was feeling, but I was so stressed that I genuinely did not feel like I had time to breathe. I finally forced myself to go back to the thing I love to do and work out at the gym. Immediately I felt different. I felt happier and less stressed as I had my endorphins circulating throughout my body and sweat dripping down. I felt good that I made time for myself, and I felt better mentally and physically since I made time to do something for myself that benefited me too.

After the gym, I am ready to pump out my homework and feel a rush of calmness come over me as I am preparing and completing school work. I highly recommend trying working out to relieve your stress or find a mechanism that benefits you and helps you feel calm when times get busy during the year. If you have not been to the gym before, you can certainly go and look at some videos to teach you how to do some classic workouts. Do not let that stop you from becoming the best version of yourself and trying new things that benefit you!