5 Tips for Starting a New Semester at College in Eating Disorder Recovery
The semester break is wrapping up, and a new course schedule of classes awaits. Exams, papers, assignments, and readings are quickly approaching, and you may feel nervous, anxious, or excited about the coming spring semester. This array of emotions may bring about eating disorder thoughts and symptoms used to cope with these changes.
By: Tori Barkosky
Below are five tips to provide stability in this period of new beginnings.
Start a Clean Slate
This is a brand-new semester, and it is good to remind yourself of that. The past semester may have had its fair share of ups and downs, but be kind to yourself and wipe your slate clean. Leave that past semester behind and bring your focus to the current semester. Worrying and stressing about the classes and grades will not serve you this coming semester. Employ strategies and skills that help and leave what does not. But first and foremost, keep your eyes and mind moving forward and your slate clean.
Try Something New
Like starting your semester with a clean slate, try something new within your courses and class schedule. Do not criticize yourself for not being successful the first go-round, and give an alternate skill or strategy a go. Try another method if something does not work or benefits you when studying or completing assignments. This can include changing your study space, homework regime, or work and sleep schedule. Remain curious – that will take you miles!
Know Food is Not a Reward or Punishment
Your eating disorder voice may try to use food as compensation or discipline in some way, but do not listen. No matter the stress of classes, grades, and busy schedules, remind yourself to nourish your body with food consistently and often. Your brain and body can only think logically and clearly if given the proper energy. Honor your body and mind by eating and not punishing yourself for things that may not have gone “as planned.” Food is not your enemy.
Set Boundaries for Yourself
Reflect on the last semester and think about how it went. What were things that went well? What aspects did not serve you? Use these to set boundaries for yourself. That could mean spending less time with friends and more time doing homework and studying. Or it could mean spending less time stressing and studying, and more time trusting your knowledge and hanging out with friends. You can also set boundaries with your homework schedule, when designating time to work on specific subjects, or when creating a better sleep routine.
Remind Yourself Healing Does Not Fall onto the Backburner
You have made it so far. You have made it through the fall semester. You have made it through the winter break. Whether you used the time to focus on yourself and heal or just made it through by surviving, it is essential to tell yourself that healing does not end. A new semester arriving does not justify not advocating for your mental and physical health. Healing should be a top priority. Please be gentle with yourself and do not prolong your healing journey. It does not belong on the backburner; it deserves to be front and center, ready to be addressed.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, our compassionate, highly skilled team of clinicians is trained in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating and body image issues. If you could use additional support during the transition back to school, join our Clinical Director, Beck Liatt (they/them), for a free virtual support group on Friday, January 20th, at 12:00 pm EST. RSVP for our next contemplating recovery group here.
Our admissions team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Book a free consultation call with our admissions team below, or read more about our philosophy here.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Tori Barkosky (she/her).
Tori is currently a senior at St. Catherine University, pursuing a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Nutrition Science. Tori is passionate about all things related to intuitive eating, HAES, mental health, body respect, eating disorders, and disordered eating. She desires to become a holistic therapist or psychologist in the future and work with clients with eating disorders and help them recover and heal their broken relationship with food and body and find liberation from diet culture. Outside of classes and work, Tori enjoys yoga, being in nature, and consuming too much coffee.