By Isabel Shrader
Does it seem impossible to find an hour of time amidst your busy schedule? Are you overwhelmed with the amount of work you have? It’s not just you. College students around the world are facing similar struggles as they adjust to the new experience of staying up late to cram in as much studying as possible. Moving into college, many students are no longer committed to the sports that they were playing in high school, and as a result, they have lost that form of exercise.
I have my own personal experience with this; My entire childhood I was a dancer, until I graduated high school and moved away from my studio. Finding ways to exercise that are as fun as dance used to be is difficult but discovering new ways to be active can be exciting. Exercise shouldn’t feel like a chore and growing habits that boosts your energy is a part of living a happy healthy life.
My first favorite way to keep active is simply walking on campus. SU is gorgeous in the fall and leaving for class 15 minutes early just to enjoy the scenery has become a daily activity for me. A similar option could be going down to the Susquehanna River and taking walks or running down along the water. It’s scenic and peaceful, good for your brain and body.
Susquehanna University also offers some amazing options for students who might want to enjoy outdoor activities. The Outdoor Recreational program helps with rentals at low prices and allows students to borrow bikes for a few hours or day and then return them. You could even apply for a loan to keep a bike for the semester. To get in contact with them, you can email them or visit the Office of Leadership & Engagement. Recently, I’ve been getting jealous of every student on campus with a bike. There are not many hills on campus, so it should be made for a smooth ride. Unfortunately, this does not include electric bikes.
Club sports are also an amazing option for anyone looking for some activity without overloading their schedules. I always see The Ultimate Frisbee Club on Smith Lawn, and I have met so many different people who are in this club. Every week the volleyball club practices at the basketball courts where anyone can learn how to bump, serve, spike and scrimmage with their peers. There are also intermural teams that anyone can join like soccer and football. I highly recommend checking them out.
SU additionally offers equipment in Garret gym. If you’re looking to go at a time where it isn’t crowded, try in the early morning and during class time when people are busy.