When I first started going to school, I was underweight. I never really cared about my weight or what people thought of me. College quickly changed that. I started to gain weight and went from a size 2 to 7 in a year. I started to look at myself differently and it really impacted me negatively. I had gone from people telling me that I should eat more to those typical family relative comments about “You really cleaned your plate, hon.” You know the type. My depression came back and hit me hard. So, I started to work out and joined a sports league. It was just for fun but I wasn’t losing any weight.
I went to the doctors after trying to eat healthier, dieting, juices and cleanses. His news surprised me. He said “You're actually right where you should be for your height.” He smiled and left the room. I sat there and realized that me being super skinny didn’t equal me being happy. I had a few emotional moments when I realized that I was pretty unhealthy for a long time.
Between always being on the go, missing meals and not sleeping. I wasn’t healthy skinny I was wasting away skinny. Shortly after that, I started to love every curve on my body. In all honesty, I haven’t even stepped on a scale for a few months now because I don’t want a number to define me. I also stopped being hyper-critical about the size of clothes I buy, because I am “me” and not a number. I started to be less envious of others. I now accept my body as something that is always going to change. This is why I wanted to start writing Freshman15.
The movement itself is important because this is something that can affect every body. Body Positivity goes beyond the identifier words that people use to describe themselves, like “skinny”,“fat”, “curvy.” The Movement teaches us to love ourselves for who and what we are. It is important start building people up instead of shaming each other. And this is what I hope to do.
I strongly urge you to always consider: What makes you feel empowered? What makes you feel strong? What makes you feel healthy? Happiness can come and go but it’s still important to take care of your body.
I think being part of this movement allows us to contribute to something much bigger. Society is changing. One body type is not consistently pushed as the “societal norm.” We can redefine concepts like the "Freshman 15" together.
I wanted to write Freshman 15 for students from my perspective. As students, we are always on a time crunch. With that in mind, I will be writing about healthy living on campus - ways to drink more water, recipes for those of us on a budget, and what you should really be using those textbooks for. Through Freshman15 , my goal is to share how to balance health, fun and rest.
I hope you have an amazing first semester and look forward to seeing what I can learn from you as well.
Amelia Sher
#freshman15
Read more at www.thessu.ca/freshman15
More from sheridanlife
Madushen, who you may have seen at a Clubs Fair, shares with us the many obstacles and struggles he faced before arriving at Sheridan. Read his story and learn the secret to how he pulled through ⬇️
Yagna shares with us his story as an international student who stepped into many roles around Sheridan to support and advocate for the international student community. Read his blog now! ⬇️
Maja, who you may recognize from SSU’s social media accounts, writes about how her determination to succeed pushed her to make the difficult decision to move away from her home country. Get inspired to pursue your dreams and read about her journey here ⬇️
Emily shares with us what she’s learned within and outside of her program, while contemplating her purpose and coming to realize that she has what it takes to overcome the future challenges she may face. Read now! ⬇️
If you think hacking involves hacking into someone’s computer, you’re not alone. Discover the truth behind what happens when a massive community of “hackers”, and a student-led club come together for a hackathon!
Did you know? Outside of being a CSR, Varshini has volunteered to save turtles, rescued stray dogs and cats, and even performed at her own concerts back home! Learn more about what else makes her more than a student! 🤩
Maja, who you may recognize from SSU’s social media, shares what it was like to attend the international education conference as an international student. Read more to find out what inspired her to work hard for the Sheridan student community! ⬇️
“I am more than a student. I am someone living with a chronic illness.” Erin shares her journey with Type 1 Diabetes and how, through this diagnosis, she’s grown to live her life to the fullest and rely on her support systems. Read more ⬇️
Curious about the traditions and celebrations around Lunar New Year? Check out this blog to learn more about 2024—Year of the Dragon! 🐉
What exactly do student unions do for international students? Your SSU Exec team attended multiple programs at an international education conference, all to improve your Sheridan life! Check out their blog! ⬇️
Ever wonder how the SSU supports your student life—outside of events? Come to the AGM! Check out Dilas’ behind-the-scenes blog about planning the AGM, what happens during the meeting, and why students should attend! 🤓
Liv, your digital community coordinator, shares the benefits of vision boarding. Find out why you should create a vision board and set goals for the new year! ➡️
Dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder? Leia, your SSU VP of International Affairs, provides tips on how to fight back against S.A.D. and take care of your mental health this winter season. Find out more about S.A.D. here! ➡️
If you’re anything like Liv, your Digital Community Coordinator, you love to use a pen and paper to journal, vision board and plan. But have you ever tried creating a digital vision board with Notion? Read her pros, cons, and discover why it might be the best app to help you bring your new year vision to life! 💭
Looking to find the perfect gifts for all your loved ones but you want to stick to a budget? Maja shares 10 gift-shopping hacks for those looking to save money and still give quality gifts! Check them out! 📌
Shia shares the motivation behind her self-care content on Substack and her passion for spreading good vibes. Curious about why Substack is her digital canvas of choice? Find out now! ➡️
Student life can always be improved, which is why Cameron, your VP of Community, travelled to Ottawa to attend a conference where real change can be made! Curious about which student issues he advocated for? Read more to find out! 🤓
Looking to switch things up? Ritz shares the ultimate tips and tricks for creating the perfect study space at home. Whether you prioritize comfort, organization, or personalization, you’ll want to check out Ritz’s must-have recommendations! 💻
Hey, Bruins! Are you feeling burned out at this point in the semester? You’re not alone! Make time to practice self-care and check out the 7 ways burnout manifests in students. Learn how to manage your well-being in times of high stress and see if you can relate to any of these. Did we miss any? 🤔
Cat, your VP of Academics, gives her tips and tricks on how to use AI to improve your studying habits and school performance, without breaching Academic Integrity! Check out her favourite AI apps for studying and learn how to use them ethically. 📝
“Spending time with your friends isn’t always a possibility as a busy student, and it can be very difficult to drag yourself away from your studies, but I have found it to be one of—if not the most important—things you can do.“ Feeling a little drained? We’ve all been there. Read about Cameron’s experiences with student burnout and see how he found a way to manage stress 🧠⛈️
Have you ever tried exercising regularly, but found it boring or hard to motivate yourself to keep going? Check out Ahmed, Mauricio, and Alfred’s tricks for harmonizing fitness with your regular routine! 💪
“When I sat down to write this blog post, I kept thinking, “Erin, you are the worst person to write about jumping out of your comfort zone.” I am awkward in social situations and I get nervous around new people and activities. Writing this has made me realize that maybe those qualities are the exact reason I should be writing this…“ 🤔
Cat, your VP of Academics, tells us all about the SSU staff retreat where colleagues became friends and friends became family. Learn more about how your student leaders supported each other and came up with the best ways to improve your Sheridan life.
Will, one of your Clubs Coordinators, takes us with him as he recounts his trip to Vancouver for the COCA conference. What happens when the opportunity to travel and socialize with other student leaders comes up and everything goes better than you imagined? Learn more about how Will opened his eyes to things he didn’t think were possible.
Ever wonder what advice returning students have for newcomers to Sheridan? 🤔 They’ll tell you firsthand that there are tips and tricks that no one even thinks to mention at Orientation. Check out what these student leaders wish they had known during the start of their Sheridan journey!
Your VP of Academics, Cat Pham, wanted to share a step-by-step guide to filing your appeals! Take a look if you’re not sure how to get started.
Your SSU President, Kyle Budge, gets candid about the struggles of balancing academics and maintaining your health as a student. Find out how he took a step back, gained perspective, and found his way through—at his own pace 😌
Leia, Sheridan Student Union’s VP of International Affairs, tells us all about her experience in Montreal at the StudentCare conference! Listening to presentations about mental health, housing, and common finance issues inspired how Leia will advocate for students moving forward. Learn more about how she plans to create harmony between students and faculty!
Can’t get enough of the new Den renovation? Ritz, your VP of Engagement, helped design and renovate the space—from concept rendering to site inspections, her involvement as a student leader was essential for the final result. Get all the behind-the-scene details! ⬇️