Starting a New Semester of College While Maintaining Eating Disorder Recovery
Returning to campus for a new semester can often cause an increase in food and body image struggles, especially for individuals with eating disorders. Approximately 10 to 20% of women and 4 to 10% of men in college suffer from an eating disorder, with rates continuously on the rise. Being a student in recovery comes with its own unique challenges and stressors — particularly when specialized counseling and nutrition services on campus may be limited.
by: Amanda Nussbaum
Many college students anticipate the start of a new semester of school to be away from home and reunite with friends. Whether returning to campus or completing the semester online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many students are starting new courses, applying for internships, or looking to join clubs. However, the pressure that many students face is one aspect of college that does not usually change from semester to semester. Students often hold themselves to high standards in many areas including grades, socializing, working, or desiring to look a certain way. Unhealthy behaviors, like not eating, binge eating, or over-exercising are often used as coping mechanisms to deal with stress in these different areas. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, 10-20% of women and 4-10% of men struggle with an eating disorder while in college.
A new semester can be an adjustment for anyone, but especially for those in eating disorder recovery. Here are some ways for students to have a smooth transition and ease themselves back into college life without jeopardizing their recovery:
Plan Ahead: Students attending in-person classes may be more at ease if they walk to class with someone. If they will be eating in the dining hall, they might practice not eating alone before returning to campus. Dining halls may upload their menu online, which can also be helpful for students to read before going. When living off-campus or making their own meals, students can plan ahead to have the recommended meals and snacks from their treatment team. The amount of time students have to eat may vary each day due to classes or other commitments, so prioritizing mealtimes is important.
Stay in Touch with Your Treatment Team: Students should remain in contact with their therapist, dietitian, and other members of their treatment team when school resumes. They may meet with their team in person, virtually or be given referrals to providers closer to their school.
Utilize Other Resources: Many universities offer individual and group counseling services, which can be an additional form of support. Students can contact their campus’s public safety department or hotlines like the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline if they need someone to talk with immediately.
Establish a Support System: All students, whether they are on campus or at home, should have supportive people to turn to when they need to talk about school, friends, challenges, or just to check-in. Knowing that there are trustworthy people who look out for them, whether it is a family member, friend, roommate, or professor, can have a significant impact on someone’s recovery.
Know Your Triggers: Students may benefit from knowing what can cause them to have eating disorder urges like eating alone or hearing others talk about food or appearance. A student and therapist can create a “Mental Toolkit” of coping mechanisms and self-soothing techniques like reading, going outside, or deep breathing.
Set Boundaries: Students in recovery may want to become involved on campus, but it is important that boundaries are first implemented. This may mean saying “no” to activities that make them uncomfortable, only doing schoolwork until a certain time, or staying off their phone before going to sleep.
Make Time for Yourself: Being a student can be hectic, so it is important to find time to relax. Some people wake up early to have extra time before class, while others prefer relaxing at night. Some ways to practice self-care from a dorm room or at home include reading, journaling, doing a facemask, or meditating.
As college students are faced with new classes, professors, and schedules, their routine may vary from what they were used to in the prior semester. The adjustment can be overwhelming. It may take time to find the right balance between school and socializing while working to maintain recovery. That is okay. Students should remember that their recovery is more important than their grades. Although there may be challenges in the upcoming months, with the right preparation and coping skills in place prior to classes starting, students will be able to better adjust to the new semester.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center, we treat the spectrum of eating disorders, including Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, compulsive overeating, and other distorted eating behaviors and body image issues. We recognize that being a college student comes with its own unique challenges and stressors. Especially when specialized counseling and nutrition services on campus may be limited. That is why our team offers a large range of programs and services specifically to aid college students on the road to recovery. Our hope is to help our clients repair their relationship to food and their bodies so they are able to succeed on campus in freedom from their eating disorder. We offer a variety of programs and services to best fit a college student’s needs, such as our Weeknight Program, Saturday Program, and Coping for College group. Click the button below to learn more about our programs and services!
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Intern, Amanda Nussbaum.
Amanda is a recent graduate of Ramapo College, where she majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She enjoys being creative, writing, and editing videos, and is passionate about health, wellness, and lifestyle. Throughout college, Amanda volunteered with the Girls on the Run organization, which helps young girls develop a positive self-esteem. She also mentored a young girl through Ramapo College’s chapter of Big Brother, Big Sister. Amanda’s involvement in these organizations helped her realize that she wants to work for a company that has an impact on others, while still being creative with marketing. In the future, Amanda hopes to work in the marketing or communications department of an organization that focuses on teenagers and young adults, and their health and self-confidence. She enjoys contributing to the BALANCE blog!