Am I Ready for Campus Life in Recovery? 4 Questions to Ask Before You Apply

Autumn is in full swing, but many high school seniors are thinking ahead to next fall as the post-secondary application season begins.  While often an exciting time, this period is filled with a lot of big choices.  When someone is living with an eating disorder, applying to post-secondary studies is not just an academic decision.  It is a health decision as well. 

Campus life brings about many changes: increased independence, shared dining spaces, and academic pressures, to name a few.  A stable recovery during this upcoming transition time is crucial for both academic success and overall health. 

If you are living with an eating disorder, four honest questions can help you assess your recovery readiness for this step.  Asking these questions now, before submitting your application, can help you prepare for your academic next steps in a recovery-focused way. 

Question 1: Can I reliably feed myself?

Fueling yourself consistently is a must for recovery. Whether you’re planning to move away or remain at home, campus life can disrupt the mealtime structure provided by family, caregivers or treatment programs. 

Ask yourself:

• Am I consistently eating 3 meals and regular snacks on my own?

• If I miss a meal or snack, can I take steps to nourish myself properly without waiting for someone to notice?

• Can I put together a balanced plate when I am feeling overwhelmed, or when options are limited?
  

Meal and snack independence is a “late-stage” recovery goal.  If you aren’t there yet, that’s OK.  This simply tells us that you may need more practice with this area at home to set yourself up for success next year. 

Question 2: How do I handle sudden disruptions to my routine?

Post-secondary schedules are unpredictable.  Some days may include early classes and late-afternoon labs.  Other days are filled with back-to-back classes over the lunch hour, or even lectures ending at 10:00pm.  Then add in the other unpredictable commitments like study groups or socializing.  How will you manage when the daily routine doesn’t feel like a routine anymore? 

Ask yourself:

• If classes run long or if my mealtime gets interrupted, can I fuel myself shortly afterwards? 

• When stress rises, can I keep up with my recovery plan (i.e. regular and consistent eating, and using coping tools that support my recovery)?

  
  

Part of recovery requires flexibility.  This is the “buffer” that allows you to maintain your recovery, when things are unpredictable.  If you struggle with fueling yourself when your routine gets thrown offtrack, this may be an area that needs more practice as you prepare for campus life.   

Question 3:  Am I ready to navigate the diet-culture and other campus triggers?

It’s true – diet-culture is everywhere, not just on campus.  So, navigating diet-culture may not be something new to you.  But campus environments are full of food noise, exercise-talk, and can constantly challenge body-image.  How will it feel to hear your peers talking about the “bad foods” they are eating at the cafeteria, or the “Freshman 15”?  Or to see your roommate, who brought a bathroom scale to your dorm room, decide to skip meals regularly?

Ask yourself:

• Do I have the tools to tune out the diet talk from my peers?

• Can I ask for what I need (ex. Ask roommate to keep their scale out of sight, or step away from a triggering conversation)?

• Can I continue to fuel myself and follow my recovery plan, when others decide to skip meals?

  
  

If these ideas bring about a lot of anxiety, that makes sense.  Putting on “blinders” and staying the course for recovery requires a lot of strength and practice.  Considering these situations now can help you to check in on how you may manage and prepare for them in advance. 

Question 4:  Why do I want to go to post-secondary school right now?

You’re finishing high school and the next steps is university or college, right?  It makes sense to want to take the next step when it is “expected”.  But the truth is, the timeline is actually yours to choose.  It is worth reflecting on your motivation for attending post-secondary school next year. 

Ask yourself:

• Am I excited about learning and personal growth?  Or am I rushing to campus to escape treatment or be free with my eating disorder?

• Would another timeline help to make my recovery more solid and give me the foundation I need for better success?  Like, taking a “gap” year, taking a reduced courseload, or living at home while studying?

Taking extra time to solidify your recovery is not a delay – it is investing in your health and your recovery.  Choosing an alternative path, like taking time off for recovery or studying part-time, is a courageous step to ensure that when you do go to school, you will be in a space to fully enjoy it and thrive.

Next Steps

If you asked yourself these reflection questions and felt confident with moving forward, that’s great!  You are likely ready to begin to research campus services, dining halls, and health care options of your top-choice schools early. 

If these questions brought up hesitation or anxiety, that’s ok.  A phrase I often share with my clients is: “That’s not failure, that’s data”.  It is telling you something.  This is why we ask these questions in advance – to give you data, time and space.  It is simply highlighting areas where you need more support before next September. 

Looking for more support?

• Download our free resource: Campus Life Recovery Readiness Checklist

• Book a Discovery Call: Learn more about working with a dietitian for support with building a personalized plan to support your recovery, and prepare for campus life. 

Disclaimer: Blog posts are for informational and educational purposes only.  Posts are not considered individual nutrition counselling, or a substitute for medical, nutritional or mental health advice. Consult with your healthcare providers for individualized recommendations.