Seventeen and eighteen year olds who were accustomed to guidance and discipline from their parents were suddenly expected to guide and discipline themselves. Many freshmen students have no clue how to handle their newfound freedom and end up making really bad decisions like partying too much and not studying enough. The freshmen students that have good studying habits and self restraint are the ones who succeed. I’ve always believed that a lot of colleges are designed to weed out students that do not have self discipline. It’s unfortunate, because if college systems were designed to guide students along the way, then many more would succeed!

When it comes to health and fitness, I strongly believe that American culture is designed for people to fail. We are taught at a very young age to go to school, go to college, graduate college, get a job, work hard for 8 hours or more per day, make more money, get married, buy a house in the suburbs, have children, save in our 401K plan, save for our children’s education, work until age 65, retire, move to Florida, and you know what comes next!

To accomplish all this, we have to work hard. Of all the industrialized nations in the world, Americans are at the top when it comes to the amount of time we put into our jobs, yet we do not come close to the amount of vacation days that Europeans receive. Most American companies start their employees at 2 weeks vacation (regardless of experience or age) versus European companies that start their employees at 5-6 weeks vacation.

For parents with full time jobs that involve a long commute time to and from work, it is extremely difficult to find time to exercise and ensure they have a proper diet. After a 10 hour day, when you have to pick up the kids, prepare dinner, have the kids do their homework and then get them to sleep, exercise and diet go out the door. Additionally, for the 10 hours per day most of us work, we spend the majority of time sitting at work and in our cars which burns very little calories. At lunch time we rush to eat by visiting local fast food restaurants which sell us unhealthy large portion meals.

Our society bombards us with materialism. We are always encouraged to buy “stuff” on credit! We feel we have to own the homes, the cars, the big screen TVs, the cell phones, the clothes and to provide “things” for our children. In many families, the bank and credit card companies are really the true owners of the assets, while the parents are the owners of debt. As a result, for married couples, both partners have to work, and the single parent has no option but to work. Again, exercise and diet go out the window for the parents and for the children. Childhood obesity in the United Stated is increasing year after year.

The American healthcare system is a total mess. Our healthcare doesn’t believe in prevention, it believes in treatment. Our healthcare system only treats people when they become sick. Many preventable illnesses occur because of a lack of exercise, poor diet and bad habits like smoking or excessive drinking. (See related article: Staying Healthy is Money in the Bank).

As a college graduate for several years now, there are 2 things I strongly believe every college should teach students: money management and health management. Most people get themselves in trouble when it comes to money and health after college. After years of neglect, it’s very difficult to fix money and health problems, but it is possible – it merely takes guidance and discipline. Do not get trapped in the expectations of society that limit you when it comes to properly taking care of yourself. If you can’t find time to exercise and eat right because of your daily life routine then it’s time for change! Remember the most valuable thing that you have is your life! Without it, nothing else matters.

Copyright © 2009 By Patrick Birmingham (Associate Writer)

      

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