Freshmen Wellness

Starting your first year at BYU–Hawaii is an incredible milestone. For many of you, this journey involves crossing oceans, adapting to a new culture, navigating a tropical climate, and learning to live independently far from home. It is a time of immense growth, but the transition can naturally bring unique challenges and stressors.

Taking care of yourself is a vital part of your personal development, helping you build resilience, succeed in your studies, and cultivate healthy relationships.

Balancing the Pillars of First-Year Wellness

True wellness is holistic. As an international student navigating your first two semesters, focusing on a few foundational habits can make a significant difference in how quickly you adjust.

1. Nurture Your Body with Gentle Nutrition

• Explore and Adapt: Moving away from your home country's traditional foods can be tough. Take time to explore local grocery options and campus dining, finding a balance between familiar comfort foods and new, nourishing options. 
  
• Avoid the Restriction Cycle: Skipping meals to save time or trying to follow rigid American diet trends can drain your academic energy. Keep your body consistently fueled so you have the stamina for long lectures and study sessions. 

2. Embrace Joyful Movement

• Move for Vitality: Physical activity is a powerful tool for fighting homesickness and exam anxiety. You do not need a complicated fitness routine—walking across our beautiful campus, swimming in the campus pool, or participating in a cultural dance club are excellent ways to stay active. 
  
• Listen to Your Body: College life is busy. If you are exhausted from a late night of studying, prioritize a restorative walk or a good night's sleep over a high-intensity workout. Movement should add energy to your life, not subtract it. 
  

3. Establish Healthy Sleep Routines

• The Foundation of Focus: Sleep directly impacts your memory, mood, and immune system. While late-night chats with roommates are a fun part of the first-year experience, aim to establish consistent sleep patterns to keep your mind sharp and your body healthy. 

4. Cultivate Community and Connection

• Combat Isolation: Feeling homesick or overwhelmed by a new language and culture is completely normal. Reach out to roommates, attend family home evening, join student clubs, play intramural sports, or participate in ward activities. Building a local support network is essential to your emotional well-being and can foster joy. 

If you are looking for guidance on how to strengthen communication within your family or roommate circles regarding healthy boundaries and self-worth, our doors are always open to you at the Relationships & Family Development office.