The years we spend in college are said to be the best years of our lives. The college lifestyle is one of independence and freedom, but many students come to find that the pressures of college life are too overwhelming. While college can be full of fun experiences and opportunities to meet new people, not everyone can immediately adjust to such a drastic change in routine. Feeling alone, struggling to fit in, or struggling with responsibility is especially common among first-year women. To combat these negative feelings, it is important to reinforce positive thinking and acceptance of your image.
The University of Virginia is a prestigious school, with demanding classes and tough professors. The hardworking, Type-A students that are admitted to U.Va. are accustomed to receiving straight A's. However, many find themselves frustrated when the class average is a failing grade, and when their grades are far from what they used to be in high school. Time management is difficult when surrounded by friends at all times, because the temptation to succumb to distractions is always present. The stress of classes and grades can easily take over.
As a female at the University of Virginia, more specific pressures exist. To me, it seems like the girls here generally strive to fit a very specific image. There appears to be an unspoken uniform among the women consisting of North Face jackets, Nike athletic shorts, Longchamp bags, cowboy boots and sundresses. These are all harmless items, but they can serve to further isolate a girl if she does not submit to the uniform. An even more powerful image characteristic is body weight. As a generalization, the majority of girls here are thin. U.Va. is an extremely fit school, as evidenced by the constant display of runners. At any time of the day, in any weather condition, it is pretty much guaranteed that you will see someone out for a run. Personally, I love to run. It has always been a huge part of my life and I find the constant flow of runners to be motivational. But many girls may see this trend as just another reminder to fit the image.
Living in such close proximity to my suite-mates, it is hard not to notice the constant discussion centered around eating habits and working out. Many girls can find themselves consumed by thoughts of calorie counting and losing weight. Eating healthy can be a struggle from the limited selections in dining halls to the habit of grabbing meals on the go. Constant conversation of food can start to dominate a girl's thoughts, revitalizing the detrimental thought process.
College life can be stressful, especially for women. The pressure to be thin while trying to deal with challenging classes and a social life is difficult. But if you can learn to manage your time and accept your body image, college can be the best years of your life. Working out can be a great way to relieve stress and healthy eating habits can eliminate negative feelings. Accept your body, accept your individuality and remember that being unique is more attractive than fitting the mold.
Kaitlin Bergin\nCLAS I
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