Did you make a New Year’s resolution to get fit or bring your grades up? If you’ve already broken your resolution, don’t give up just yet.
Erin Musick-Neily of Lethbridge College counselling services says that research supports a link between academic failure and depression.
“If students struggle in meeting the expectations of their program, their parents or themselves in terms of grades, for example, depression can result,” she says.
In some cases, a cycle of negative feelings develops and depression can worsen.
“Grades are important, yes,” says Musick-Neily, “but they do not define a person’s worth.”
Many students may set the bar too high when they begin the New Year, not only for their studies, but also when it comes to getting active.
YMCA fitness director Pamela Haapa-Aho says that early in January, the number of new memberships increases quite sharply.
This year, the YMCA has seen up to $5,000 in new memberships in a single day. By the end of the month however, member attendance drops significantly.
“Usually, most resolutions will last until Jan. 28,” says Haapa-Aho.
Some of the reasons for broken fitness resolutions include doing too much, too fast and not setting realistic goals. She suspects that reality TV may play a role in the way people are setting up their targets. Fitness shows like The Biggest Loser can paint an unrealistic picture of weight loss.
“People think, ‘If these guys can lose 17 pounds in a week, why can’t I?’”
Both Haapa-Aho and Musick-Neily support a system of good time management and realistic goal-setting for success.
Musick-Neily suggests following a schedule, as well as breaking down large, seemingly insurmountable tasks into smaller ones to make them more manageable.
Haapa-Aho suggests starting small to work new habits into your lifestyle.
“Come here three times a week,” she says. “If you get the time, then the biggest excuse is gone.”
Terry Fieguth, a staff member at the Lethbridge College fitness centre, puts it all into perspective with an easy-to-remember acronym. He says to make “SMART goals: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.”
In addition to setting goals that are reasonable, it’s also important to have a support system to fall back on.
“There’s no cookie cutter programs put out there,” says Haapa-Aho of the personal trainers available at the YMCA. “So what they put forth for you is for you, and it’s going to be successful for you.”
Musick-Neily says that having someone to talk to is a great way to avoid letting feelings of failure, academic or otherwise, lead us into depression.
“Talk to someone. Reach out for support,” she says.
Personal counsellors at Lethbridge College are available to help students learn to cope with stress, manage time to find balance and many other things. The service is free and confidential for all students.
The counselling services office is located in the learning commons in the Buchanan library. Appointments can be made by calling 403-320-3351 or emailing counsellor@lethbridgecollege.ca .
Photo (Pamela Haapa-Aho, YMC fitness director demonstrates a yoga position. Photo by Connolly Tate)
