Exam week is now upon University students. Not many have time to go out and have fun, let alone eat well and exercise.

Student Elizabeth Fine lives off-campus and said that because it is the last week of the semester, she doesn’t want to go to the grocery store to buy any food to cook. This makes it difficult for her to eat healthy because she just finds whatever is left in her apartment.

“I just eat whatever is left, and that doesn’t leave much,” Fine said. According to Nutrition Educator Tonya Hefner, it is best to at least eat something rather than nothing at all, and not to skip meals.

“People are busy this time of year because of exams so their eating habits change. They eat what is convenient and easy, not necessarily healthy,” Hefner said.

She also said that it is difficult to eat healthy when the student has no food available. A peanut butter sandwich, a juice box or a bowl of cereal are all inexpensive ways to eating healthy, Hefner said.

One way to start eating healthy is to bring snacks in backpacks to sustain hunger during long study sessions or back to back exams.

“Eating at least a snack maintains your blood sugar. With low blood sugar, it is harder to concentrate,” Hefner said.

Even if students are running on a low budget, they still can find healthy foods and snacks to eat during exam week. Instead of ordering a pizza after a late night of studying or running to McDonald’s after a tough exam, students can find foods for the same price that is higher in nutrition, Vitamin C and calcium. Senior Michelle Wilhelm remembers that in the past she never ate regular meals during exam week because she was too busy.

Now, she doesn’t have money to go out and buy food.

“I was a little stressed, so I would eat chocolate,” Wilhelm said.

On the other hand, when exam week is over and it is time for the holidays, students eating habits can change once again. Wilhelm said, “At home I eat healthier. I have balanced meals and don’t eat a lot in between meals. We also don’t have any junk food at home.”

Wilhelm believes that the changes in her eating habits between home and school is paying a toll on her body. Her body has to adjust to the different types of meals she would eat at home and school.

Fine, though, tends to eat less during exam week and more when she is at home.

“I eat more sweets, making up for the week of not eating. There is always food at home and I don’t have to buy it,” Fine said. When Fine comes back from break, she thinks of all she ate. “I usually say to myself ‘Oh my gosh, I need to do something!” she said.

Fine doesn’t normally eat much when back in school and starts going to the rec until she gets back into her normal school routine.

Wilhelm feels the reason for her abnormal eating behavior is because she isn’t on a regular schedule every day. When she moves out on her own and starts working, she believes that because of a set schedule, she could start eating balanced meals.

For students who feel that their eating habits drastically change from going home and coming to school, there are people that can help. The Wellness Connection and Student Health Services offer free counseling to anyone who needs someone to talk to or give them advice on the best type of diet for them.