Grand Valley State University: Stay Healthy, Lakers
Julie Bitely
| 3 min read
If you’re hoping to make your “Laker effect” on the world, it’s important to stay healthy throughout your experience at Grand Valley State University.
If you’re newer to the Allendale or downtown Grand Rapids Pew campus, we’ve rounded up our top campus resources to help you eat healthy, stay fit, make friends and take care of yourself physically and mentally.
Go Lakers!
Food
There are plenty of healthy ways to satisfy your hunger on GVSU’s campus.
There are plenty of healthy ways to satisfy your hunger on GVSU’s campus.
- Restaurants Get a made-to-order salad at one of three Croutons locations on the Allendale campus. The Fresh Food Co. offers worldly and sustainable dishes, fresh fruits and veggies and homemade soups, while Engrained has a healthy rotation of entrees and a great deli. Studying at the downtown campus? Grab a healthy bite at Plaza Café.
- Farmers Market The GVSU Farmers Market sets up shop on Wednesdays June through October. Along with seasonal, locally-grown produce, you’ll find local honey, fresh baked goods and other artisanal products to enhance your menu.
- Make Your Own Meals Even if you live in the dorms, there are ways to make healthy meals for yourself. Here are some ideas to get you started:
o Easy, Healthy, Inexpensive Meals to Make in a Dorm Room
o Tips for Eating Healthy While Living in a Dorm
Fitness
With GVSU’s extensive campus recreation offerings, there’s no excuse to blow off your workout routine. If you don’t have one, it’s also a great time to start!
With GVSU’s extensive campus recreation offerings, there’s no excuse to blow off your workout routine. If you don’t have one, it’s also a great time to start!
- Recreation Facilities Take advantage of cardio and weight machines, free weights, basketball and volleyball courts and more at the main campus recreation center. Membership is free with your student ID.
- Group FitnessIf you like classes, Grand Valley doesn’t disappoint. Choose from different types of yoga, barre, bootcamp, cardio drum, kickboxing, Pilates and more.
- Adventurous Options Grand Valley’s Outdoor Adventures Program gives students opportunities to take their fitness pursuits outdoors or to new heights. Check out the campus climbing wall and sign up for a workshop, take a staff-guided trip or rent a bike to get you to class and beyond.
Community
College is the perfect time to find your tribe. Get involved in campus organizations that reflect your values and interests and you’re likely to meet some like-minded friends for life.
College is the perfect time to find your tribe. Get involved in campus organizations that reflect your values and interests and you’re likely to meet some like-minded friends for life.
- Volunteer Grand Valley hosts a Community Outreach Week in March that can help you give back to the local community and meet new people in the process.
- Student Organizations GVSU’s Office of Student Life boasts more than 400 student organizations “from sports, to professional, to hobbies, to interfaith, and more.”
- Department Engagement It’s likely that service learning opportunities exist that align with your chosen major. This is another great way to meet people who share your interests, while also beefing up your resume.
Mind
Taking time for your mental health while you’re attending college is important. Juggling new responsibilities, new friends and a new home all at once is extremely stressful. If it becomes too much, reach out to the Grand Valley Counseling Center. Short-term individual and long-term group therapy is provided at no cost to students. Additionally, you can take advantage of online self-help tools, seminars and events to help you better understand and take care of your mental health.
Taking time for your mental health while you’re attending college is important. Juggling new responsibilities, new friends and a new home all at once is extremely stressful. If it becomes too much, reach out to the Grand Valley Counseling Center. Short-term individual and long-term group therapy is provided at no cost to students. Additionally, you can take advantage of online self-help tools, seminars and events to help you better understand and take care of your mental health.
Prevention
Whether you have a sore throat or need to get your allergy shots, the Metro Health GVSU Campus Health Center has you covered. With a wide variety of services, the health center is a convenient options for on-campus students. Scheduled appointments are preferred, but same-day appointments are possible based on the availability of providers.
Whether you have a sore throat or need to get your allergy shots, the Metro Health GVSU Campus Health Center has you covered. With a wide variety of services, the health center is a convenient options for on-campus students. Scheduled appointments are preferred, but same-day appointments are possible based on the availability of providers.
Use our checklist to make sure you’re ready for the new semester.
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Main image photo credit: 1546
Carillon tower photo credit: Michael Deemer
