Stay Hydrated!
Some strategies to get water include finding refill stations around campus. Lilian DeFilippis '26
While Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, the deep freeze is thawing, and snow has begun to melt away as we inch closer towards the arrival of spring. As the weather slowly warms up, students should start thinking about how to stay properly hydrated on campus.
Although many people have heard the guidance of “eight cups a day,” studies recommend drinking at least 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of water a day to stay properly hydrated. While that number may seem daunting to some, there are many simple tips and tricks to make hydration part of your everyday routine.
Hit the Refill Stations
Staying hydrated on campus is easier than you think when free water can be found in nearly every building. Most buildings on campus have at least one bottle-refill station available for students, and the dining hall recently added three dedicated filtered-water spouts. Residential buildings also include refill stations, increasing accessibility for first-year students. New stations are popping up, with one installed in the Lower West Cedar last semester.
BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle)
Having water easily accessible throughout the school day starts with one simple habit: bringing your own reusable water bottle wherever you go. Carrying your own water bottle makes it easier to track your water intake throughout the day and serves as a visual reminder to drink water. If you don’t already own one, the Marist bookstore sells 24-ounce reusable water bottles for under $30, reducing waste and bringing use to the vast number of refill stations across campus.
Rethink Your Drink
What you choose to drink with your meals can make a bigger difference in your hydration than you realize. While it is tempting to choose from the variety of beverages at the freestyle soda machines in the dining hall or on Grubhub, most of those options do little to help you stay hydrated. Think twice before choosing a sugary drink and pick up some water instead.
Eat Your Water
Hydration doesn’t just come from what you drink: it can also be found on your plate. Many fruits and vegetables are almost 100% water weight, making them a valuable addition to your hydration routine. For instance, cucumbers are 97% water, and fruits like tomatoes can be as much as 94% water.
Use Your Meal Plan
If you’re on the go or forget your reusable bottle, your meal plan can still help you stay hydrated. Each dining location on campus offers bottled water in various sizes for as little as $2.50. The average bottled water option on campus is 16.9 ounces, but there are options as big as one liter. It would take approximately 5.4 of the standard 16.9-ounce bottles, or three of the one-liter bottles, to meet the recommended daily average.
As the days get warmer and midterms approach, Red Foxes need to stay hydrated to stay sharp in and out of the classroom. With refill stations, water fountains, and meal plan options across campus, there’s no excuse not to hydrate!