Students return to college campuses for the spring semester after the holiday season ends and the winter months arrive in full force. The transition can be challenging, especially when getting back into a routine and starting classes again with peers. The re-acclimation of returning to college can also be difficult for individuals who are in recovery from an eating disorder and want to return to a routine.
The opportunity to relax, reset, and spend time with family and friends, especially during winter break, is essential to one’s health and happiness. This time allows individuals to enjoy the holidays to the fullest, leaving space to catch up with their loved ones and prepare for a new year. However, individuals who are in eating disorder recovery are looking to change their relationship with food and work through their treatment plan with their support team. It can feel like everything changes when the end of January arrives, and students must return to school. Transitioning back to college, after the holiday season can be challenging, with classes beginning again, living in dorms with roommates, and leaving home once again.
Here are a few tips to make the transition back to school easier if you or someone you love is navigating eating disorder recovery.
Start Early With Establishing Your Routine
A few days before returning to school, start a routine by establishing a sleep schedule, seeing where your classes are located on campus, planning an efficient route, and figuring out how you’ll be studying for quizzes and exams. With the dynamics of eating disorder recovery playing a role in re-establishing your routine, you need to continue taking care of yourself and checking in with your healthcare professionals about your treatment plans.
Establish Goals For Yourself
While getting back into your routine after returning to campus, establish goals for yourself to follow throughout the semester. Start small to avoid getting overwhelmed. You could join an organization, plan some time with friends, or make your space organized and comfortable. When beginning new classes, set time aside to meet with each of your professors to introduce yourself and explain your situation, such as those in eating disorder recovery. “Every professor has different expectations for students and varying views on classroom culture, so consider emailing your professor or instructor before classes start to introduce yourself, tell them why you’re taking the class, and offer any other relevant information that can aid in creating a connection and build a stronger relationship with your instructor” (Maio, 2023).
Make Time For Self-Care
Part of being successful at college is keeping your mind and body healthy. College can be stressful, and dealing with eating disorder recovery can add another layer of anxiety. But by investing in self-care, individuals can maintain a healthy mindset that’ll help them successfully adjust to their new routines. “Some examples include taking a walk (ideally outside, if possible), taking a 15–20-minute nap, organizing your study area, listening to your favorite music or podcast, playing with your pet, or connecting with a friend. It’s also a good idea to change scenery when you take a time-out from studying as it can provide a mental reset” (Penn LPS Online, 2023). That way, you can continue to care for yourself and focus on your treatment plan while working through college classes.
You deserve to experience full eating disorder recovery and peace around food and your body as you head back to college. BALANCE’s 12-Day Winter Intensive is designed to equip you with the tools to begin your recovery journey. Get started on reducing your eating disorder thoughts and begin feeling in alignment with your authentic self in the new year. Don’t miss this opportunity – this program closes on January 10th (or when spots are filled). Learn more about our limited-time Winter Break 12-Day Intensive here.
Our admissions team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Book a free consultation call below, or read more about our philosophy here.
References
How to return to an academic mindset after vacation | Penn LPS Online. (2023, May 24). https://lpsonline.sas.upenn.edu/features/6-helpful-steps-return-academic-mindset-after-vacation
Maio, J. (2023, January 23). 8 tips to help you adjust to a new semester on campus or online. Big Ideas Blog. https://blog.suny.edu/41279/8-tips-to-help-you-adjust-to-a-new-semester-on-campus/
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Regina Colie (she/her).
Regina Colie is a blog contributor for BALANCE, whose previous work has been featured in Project HEAL and Nourishing NY. She is an alumnus of The New School of Social Research, where she received her Masters in Psychology. After attending Marymount Manhattan College, she had the opportunity to be published in Dr. Nava Silton’s book, The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Child, Adolescent, and Adult Development.
