Navigating College

It is nearing summer and that means seniors in highschool are heading off the college in a few short months. So, picture this: you're in your dorm, buried under a pile of textbooks, trying to cram for that tough midterm. Your stomach grumbles, reminding you that you haven't eaten in hours. But here's the worst part – you're unsure when your next meal will be. Sound challenging? Welcome to the reality of being food insecure in college.

Despite living in a world where there's more than enough food to go around, many of us are still struggling to put food on the table. According to some stats I came across I in an article written by Jane Nam, around 23% of us college students faced food insecurity in 2020. That's a pretty staggering number, considering we're supposed to be focusing on our studies and making the most of our college experience. How can a student do that when they have to be constantly thinking about where they are getting our next meal? 

But it's not just about feeling hungry – although, being transparent, that's definitely a big part of it. Food insecurity can take a toll on academic performance too. In that same article by Nam she said that students who don't have reliable access to food tend to have lower GPAs compared to those who do. Also, the food-insecure students end up graduating at a way lower rate compared to the peers who don't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.

Now, you might be thinking, "Can't students just rely on food stamps or something?" Well, here's the kicker – a lot of college students don't qualify for federal food assistance programs like SNAP. Why? Because they require applicants to work at least 20 hours a week, on top of the already jam-packed schedules. As if college isn't demanding enough, right? How would any college student manage that? 

And it is even trickier for first-generation college students. For them, the struggle is even harder. Not only are they navigating the complexities of college life for the first time, but they're also dealing with the added stress of sourcing their next meal.

So, what can we do about it? Well, for starters, let's talk about it and open up a discussion. The more we shine a light on this issue and advocate for it, the harder it becomes for people to ignore. We can advocate for better support services on campus, like food pantries or meal assistance programs. And if you ever find yourself in need of a meal or just someone to talk to, know that you're not alone. There are people out there who care about you and want to help. There are mentors and administrators that care about you.

College is supposed to be a time of growth and discovery, not hunger and hardship. Everyone needs to work together to make sure that every student – regardless of their background or circumstances – has the opportunity to thrive. After all, isn't that what education is all about?