4 exercising tips for the new academic year for students

1. Learn about your university sports services

Do you know what kind of sports services your university offers? In addition to providing student-friendly services, the task of university sports services is to help individuals find meaningful ways to promote physical activity and wellbeing in their everyday lives.

Sporting activities support overall mental and physical wellbeing and provide a meaningful way to spend time together. You can find the right way to exercise during your studies with the help of the university sports services.

2. Take breaks from sitting – also during lectures

On average, a university student sits for 10.5 hours a day, which is much more than other population groups. No amount of physical activity can compensate for the negative health and study ability effects of sitting too much. Therefore, you simply need to sit less.

Take breaks and stretch your legs or do activating movements at least every 45 minutes. If you have higher tables available, use them for standing work. When you’re studying independently, make use of audible study materials while you go for a walk, for example.

If breaks are not yet included in your face-to-face and remote lectures, don’t hesitate to suggest short breaks from sitting to your teacher. You can mention that reducing daily sitting is one of the national recommendations for university sports.

3. Walk or cycle to campus

Walking or cycling to campus is an effective way to start the day and helps to keep fit. You can also combine walking with public transport: for a refreshing morning walk, get off the bus a couple of stops early and walk the rest of the way!

Walking and cycling requires well-designed pedestrian and bicycle routes and bicycle racks that are maintained all year round. In addition to OLL, your student union also advocates good exercise conditions, both in higher education and in municipal politics.

4. Participate in student sporting events

The best things about being active are community spirit and the festive atmosphere you can enjoy at different events: appro student events, wellness days, guild sports competitions, tournaments and other local gatherings.

In addition to the sports services, events are organised by student unions, organisations and guilds, and student sports clubs, for example. Many major sports events also offer a student discount or include a special series for students.