October has a way of sneaking up on you. One minute, you’re enjoying being back on campus, and the next, you’re juggling midterms, group projects, and a calendar that seems to fill up overnight. As the days get shorter and schoolwork piles up, personal wellness can become one of the first things we put aside. The things that keep us grounded can start feeling like luxuries we don’t have time for anymore. That’s where finding small ways to take care of yourself, including through Campus Rec, can make a difference.
What I’ve learned is that wellness during a busy season doesn’t have to be a big production that takes up a lot of your time. It just has to be something. Even one small, consistent thing you protect during the chaos makes a difference in how the rest of the week feels. For me, that has always been Campus Rec. I didn’t have a perfect routine, but it gave me somewhere to go when everything else felt like it was moving too fast. A group fitness class on a Wednesday night or an Intramural sports game was the perfect break from all the studying and papers to write. None of it was complicated, but it helped support my mental and physical health.
The Anna Fascitelli Fitness & Wellness Center has hours that make it easier to fit a workout into a busy schedule. Group fitness classes through IMLeagues run throughout the week, giving students different opportunities to get active. Group fitness classes are my favorite because I like that I can show up, follow the instructor’s plan, and focus on the workout without having to plan it myself. It’s a simple way to make time for myself even during a packed week. For those 45 minutes I am not thinking about anything else which is a great distraction from all the stress exams can cause.
Wellness doesn’t always mean going to the gym, either. October is one of the most beautiful months in Rhode Island, and the bike path and outdoor spaces around campus offer an easy way to enjoy it. Sometimes, taking a 20 minute walk between classes is enough to give yourself a break from schoolwork. If you want to explore a little farther, Campus Rec’s RhodyBIKESoffers free bike rentals to eligible URI students. Each rental includes a bike, helmet, and U-lock, with pickup and return at Mackal Field House. It’s a great way to get outside and enjoy the seasons while fitting some movement into your day.
The semester will stay busy, but taking care of yourself doesn’t have to wait until things slow down. Whether it’s a fitness class, an intramural game, or a bike ride around campus, find one thing that helps you feel like yourself and make time for it. You don’t need a perfect routine, you just need to give yourself a chance to recharge.
By: Megha Sud
Major: Communications
Graduating by: May 2028