Oh, college — three words: what. a. time. Every person’s college experience is different, but nearly everyone comes away having learned more about themselves than they arrived knowing. I don’t regret my college years, even though I faced some difficult challenges: anxiety and depression diagnoses, an eating disorder, friend drama, relationship ups and downs — you name it. The good news is I came out stronger, more self-aware, and happier. Those years taught me lessons I wouldn’t trade for anything.
For much of that time I was an extreme exerciser, obsessed with counting calories and burning as many as possible. Today I’m a healthy exerciser: I move my body because it makes me feel better, not to chase a number on a scale. That mindset would have been so helpful during college, and it still applies now. I work out to:
- be strong
- be healthy
- feel good
When you are strong, healthy, and feeling good about yourself, everything changes: your mood lifts, your confidence improves, you often concentrate better on schoolwork, you’re more likely to try new things and socialize, and you tend to attract better outcomes in many areas of life. Plus, you’re probably a more pleasant person to be around 🙂
So here are practical tips for making time to work out in college:
- Make exercise part of your routine. Treat movement like a regular appointment. If it’s an established habit—something you do every day or most days—it becomes automatic.
- Use a calendar and plan ahead. At the start of each week, block out specific times in your Google Calendar for workouts, classes, and study sessions. Seeing them scheduled makes it easier to follow through.
- Set achievable, non-scale goals. Aim for consistency (for example, three or four workouts per week) or performance goals (run a 5K, master a bodyweight move) rather than a target weight. Health is not a number.
- Find an accountability partner. A workout buddy makes it harder to skip sessions and more fun to show up. If you can’t meet in person, check in virtually or share your weekly plan.
- Choose active transportation. Walk or bike to class when you can. Skipping the bus or elevator and opting for stairs adds movement throughout the day and really does add up.
- Short workouts count. Ten to thirty minutes is better than nothing. HIIT, short strength circuits, and focused bodyweight routines deliver benefits when you’re short on time.
- Use campus resources. Take advantage of the university gym, group fitness classes, recreational courts, and intramural sports. These options are often free or low-cost and are a great way to meet people.
- Make workouts dorm-friendly. No gym? No problem. Bodyweight circuits, resistance bands, and stair sprints are easy to do in a dorm or hallway with minimal equipment.
- Mix fitness with fun. Try a new activity each week: swimming, cycling, yoga, a dance class, or intramural sports. When fitness feels enjoyable it’s easier to stick with it.
- Prioritize recovery and sleep. Rest days, mobility work, and quality sleep help you feel energized and perform better academically and physically.
- Fuel your body sensibly. Aim for balanced meals that include protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats so your workouts and your study sessions both benefit.
- Be flexible and realistic. Schedules change — exams, travel, and social plans all happen. Instead of beating yourself up, adjust your plan and focus on consistency over perfection.
Remember to keep a sense of balance. College is also about having fun: stay up late sometimes, enjoy pizza with friends, skip a workout for a meaningful event. Those moments matter. The key takeaway is balance: prioritize movement and health, but don’t miss out on the social and spontaneous parts of college life.
Before I go, outfit details: I’m wearing my favorite high-rise workout crops that fit like a glove, a cropped tank, and lightweight training shoes. Comfort and confidence make it easier to move.
If you’re a college student, I’d love to hear from you: where do you go to school and what are your favorite ways to work out on campus?