The Weekly Wellness Newsletter will resume for the Fall Semester in August 2023.

Stay Hydrated & Energized during Finals

Many students turn to caffeine during finals to help power through late nights of studying. However, it is important to be careful with caffeine so you can stay hydrated and energized, especially when there is an endless supply at home.

Kelly Read, our Registered Dietitian in the Student Health Center, shared her tips on staying hydrated and energized to help you finish this semester stronger than your coffee.

• Avoid drinking more caffeine than you normally do. Drinking more caffeine than usual may cause migraines, restlessness, fast heartbeat or an upset stomach. These side effects are not helpful for stressful times.
  
  
• Drink water. The best way to keep yourself hydrated is by drinking water. Staying hydrated helps you stay focused, thus increasing productivity. Dehydration is also known to give us headaches. Use a reusable water bottle and refill it throughout the day.
  
  
• Be mindful of sugar content. Many caffeinated drinks also come with sugar. Consider drinking less sugar sweetened beverages, such as soda, energy drinks, and café drinks.

Finals Tips from the Academic Success Center

Tomorrow is the first day of finals, Tigers! The Academic Success Center is here to help you cross the finish line with confidence with some more of their tried and true finals tips.

• Remember your resources. You still have access to resources even though you might be remote. Email your professors any questions about exams, especially with remote testing/submission. Also remember that the RIT librarians are available virtually to help with research, and virtual appointments can be made with the Expressive Communication Center and of course the Academic Success Center. You’re not alone!
  
  
• Designate a study spot. Choose a spot in your home that’s quiet and private. Keep it clean, tidy, and distraction free. Use that spot whenever you need to concentrate on an exam, paper, or project.
  
  
• Rest. Let yourself rest. This doesn’t just apply to before an exam, but also in between exams. If you don’t feel like you need sleep, just find something to do that recharges you.

For more finals tips, follow the ASC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Each week, we are sharing a financial wellness tip to help you make the connection between financial management decisions, your overall wellness, and student success. Money touches every aspect of our lives, and a lack of financial literacy can cause unnecessary stress and negatively impact our mental and physical health.

Save on Food, Help the Environment, and Help Tigers in Need

Did you know, the average family of four in the U.S. spends between $1,047 and $1,576 on food monthly? In 2023, food inflation is 7.5%. A recent study looked at food waste and found that 40% of food in America is wasted, equating to 119 billion pounds of food, 130 billion meals, and $408 billion per year! U.S. consumers can strive to become better food shoppers to save money and save the environment as most of this wasted food ends up in landfills which contributes to climate change, air pollution, and affects many ecosystems and species.

Here are some tips to become a better and more economical grocery shopper:

• Use a list to be more organized and to make less impulse purchases
• Plan your meals on a weekly basis - shop the weekly specials at the store including using online coupons and grocery store discount cards (Ex. Top’s Bonus Card or Wegman’s Shopper’s Club)
• Buy frozen and canned foods when you do not have to have fresh fruit and vegetables
• Try to buy in bulk, shop food that is in season, and shop at bakery outlets such as Freihofer's (Genesee Valley Regional Market)
• Avoid ready-to-make meals and proportioned snacks, as these are more expensive

A big money saver is to eat more meals at home and get creative with leftovers to reduce food waste! Reducing food waste is also a way to help feed those struggling with food insecurity. Another way is to contribute to this year’s Goodbye, Goodbuy! collection program happening between May 5-14. Every year, RIT students throw out over 100 tons of goods, including food, during move-out. Any unopened, non-perishable items donated will be routed to RIT’s on-campus food pantry – the RIT FoodShare Center which has been helping Tigers in need since 2015.

Don’t forget to check out the Financial Literacy website, and/or follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

For additional events and event information, go to rit.edu/events.