By Mario Montalvo/ne news editor

With the hectic schedule that many students lead, it is sometimes difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Poor choices in diet and lack of sleep and exercise can have a negative impact on students’ health and their grades.

NE Campus nurse Marilyn Lambert said students need a good night’s sleep.

“College students are sometimes, often, sleep-deprived because they work and go to school,” she said.

Sleep deprivation can create more serious health complications.

“It can lead to obesity, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes,” said Tina Ingram, NE Campus nurse.

Lambert warned against the use of stimulant energy drinks to combat fatigue.

“Initially, it may give you a boost, but then later on, you can crash from them. Then you have a lot less attentiveness,” she said. “It’s counterproductive. When you’re anxious and tense, you can’t learn and you can’t listen.”

Many students don’t eat breakfast, Ingram said.

“It’s been proven time and time again.” Lambert said. “Breakfast —especially a good, quality breakfast — will help to maintain blood sugar and improve focus.”

Ingram also suggested taking supplements.

“Unless you’re eating an excellent diet, then most of the time it is a good idea,” she said.

Students can also benefit from regular exercise.

“Mentally and physically, it’s going to help the students think better, more clearly,” Ingram said.

“They’ll have better performance in the classroom, and they’ll feel better about themselves.”

Maintaining proper hydration is also key.

“We tend to see students that are not getting enough water,” Lambert said. “They feel light-headed, dizzy, not able to function and with headaches.”

Both nurses agree that most students lack adequate fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains in their diets.

The convenience and price of fast food can often lead students to make unhealthy meal choices.

NE student Jeremy Lantz tries to avoid fast food.

“It really helps to plan my meals ahead of time for the week,” he said.

“I usually eat fruit in the morning, followed by a sandwich with lots of vegetables on it and for dinner usually fish or chicken.”

Lantz also said it helps to surround yourself with people who have the same eating habits.

All TCC students, faculty and staff can take advantage of any of the fitness facilities on any of the campuses.

And students can complete an exercise assessment at their campus fitness center to determine a customized wellness program.