Charles Che Guevara
Connector Contributor

Students say they have changed their routines because of classes. Lunches aren’t scheduled anymore, and the consistent workflow of high school has changed to a day-to-day work schedule meaning free time to eat fluctuates too, they say. Administrators say they want to help students by pointing to campus resources that can help. 

Students skip meals, spend money on groceries and eat out constantly because classes and work take up too much time. Students say they are more independent but may not have easy access to a trusted adult or expert to help with any questions about food. Administration is helping students address the issues of skipping meals and being cost effective.  

Students say that they often forget to eat. Junior Alans Delis Cordova Debora, a computer science major who lives on campus, says that his day-to-day schedule affects what he eats. “Sometimes classes can be a little heavy, so I don’t have too much time to go eat,” he said. 

Professor Mary Kate Keyes, a clinical instructor at UMass Lowell, says that she is aware that many students go through their days without preparing time to eat. “They go to class, to work, to class, kind of all over, and they don’t plan or don’t have time to go for a meal in the dining hall, or they hadn’t made time earlier in the day to pack a healthful lunch or dinner or something like that,” Keyes said. 

Time and stress are not the only factors that go into a change in eating habits. Cordova said that sometimes he skips out on eating because the weather makes it difficult to venture out.  

Cordova also said his job as a resident advisor means he must be deliberate about when he eats or he might not eat at all. Cordova said that he plans his meals before shifts, classes or even interviews. “I try to eat before my shift. So, before the interview I ate,” he said.  

Others say commuting often affects their eating habits. “I work before I go to classes in the evening, so I find that I will prepare my whole day of eating the night before,” said Jane Njeri Mumo, a psychology major. 

Students have found new dieting habits to fit their changed environment. Mumo said she prepares her meals at the beginning of the week. “Sometimes I’ll meal prep and freeze cooked food, and sometimes I’ll just make fresh meals,” she said. 

Cordova said how he likes to cook on occasion but usually prefers sticking to quick meals such as instant ramen. Cordova says he likes preparing frozen foods and then cooking something to add to the mix (ramen and eggs, for example).  

Keyes said that eating poorly is better than eating nothing at all. “Ideally, you would add some fruits and vegetables on the side. But I would rather have a student have some frozen pizza and go to bed with food in their tummy than have nothing.”  

For the students who often forget to eat, having friends as a reminder to eat is also a great resource. “Sometimes I eat because my friends…they give me a reason to go eat,” Cordova said. Keyes said that having peers recommend dieting habits is also useful. She also listed some on campus resources for students who may need food.  

The Strive is a program that provides food items and case management support to address challenges students are having in meeting their basic needs. On-campus students can also donate up to two meal swipes to those in need through the SOS program. Keyes said eating well is important but that, “we don’t have to let perfection get in the way of progress.”