STUDYING PROPERLY isn't all about studying. Certain conditions must be met, so that we, as students, can concentrate on our job. Accordingly, forming an environment that fosters one's studying habits is almost as important as firm determination. The indispensable element that constitutes this environment, nonetheless, is something we're extremely familiar with. Or, surprisingly, it's what we believe we are experts at - the eating!

  Why learn to eat?

  Students learn to write critically, complete multiple assignments simultaneously, and to present group projects effectively, but never to eat properly. According to a survey performed by Korean National Statistical Office on "The ways of maintaining health" at year 2003, only 11% of the Seoulites of their 20s used "dieting" as their main means of maintaining health. The other 45% resorted to exercising, or getting plenty of rest.

  The proliferation of "the western foods" in domestic market diversified Korean appetites. Yonseians eat rice, Kimchi, and chigae (Korean traditional stew), but also steaks, hamburgers, and spaghettis. Amid diverse food choices, maintaining a balanced diet calls for immediate guidelines.

  Yonsei's position

  The Yonsei Univ. seems to exert adequate efforts on providing both physical and mental services to the students. The YHC (Yonsei Health Center), situated at the 2nd floor of the Student Union, provides medical, dental, and vaccine services. The YCC (Yonsei Counseling Center), which is located at the 4th floor of the Baikyang Hall, serves the Yonsei community with free psychological tests, and individual/group counseling. However, these programs prove to be inadequate to meet the Yonseians' need.

  True, no specific guidelines on how to maintain balanced nutrition are provided at Yonsei Univ. A student either has to find them out by oneself, or, simply, live on without further nutrition concerns. "There had been a dieting program [in Yonsei Univ.] for staff officers a few months ago, but none exists now," comments a staff at YHC, "If students come for nutrition problems, we are able to help them out. [However,] we are mostly focusing on medical examination and treatments."

   
  Harvard does it right

  The HUHS (Harvard University Health Services) is the well-being department at the Harvard Univ., Massachusetts, US. It is a comprehensive health care facility with over 100 years of history, and provides various "Wellness Resources" to the community.

  The Nutrition Services is one service that offers various opportunities, such as the "Nutrition Know-How". It sets specific guidelines on how to eat well, and the information is neatly organized on the website, making it more accessible, and up-to-date.

  The Nutrition Services also provides individual counseling services. Students can get private counseling via the FAQ websites, or by filling out the "Ask the Dietitian Form." The form is forwarded without personal identifiers, and the response posted by the following week. If more help is needed, the students can always refer to the "Registered Dietitians" (also known as Nutritionists) who are the nutrition experts to help students achieve optimum performance with balanced nutrition.

  What Yonsei can do

  The nutritionists who work in Yonsei's restaurants provide well-balanced foods and maintain sanitary conditions of the restaurants. "We also provide calorie information and fun facts on foods," says Yoo So-young (Dir., Student Restaurant). She continues, "The menus are mainly determined by the concept of the restaurants."

  The school basically lacks nutrition services. No brochures or websites on maintaining a balanced diet is provided, and no further plans on "eating-well" seem prepared. Eating concerns should become the responsibilities of the school? welfare programs and Harvard Univ. is setting a good example that Yonseians should follow.

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