You don’t just grow out of having an eating disorder

Hope Virgo

As a society we have these huge expectations of starting university, we tell ourselves it’s going to be the best time of our lives, but when you are living in recovery from an eating disorder that excitement can diminish rapidly. You are left with feelings of fear, worry, how will you cope with the unknown food? No routine? And what about all those things that might trigger us.

‘We tell ourselves it’s going to be the best time of our lives, but when you are living in recovery from an eating disorder that excitement can diminish rapidly’

What can you do to help manage your recovery at university?

1. Establish a Support System Early
Some universities have a dedicated mental health and wellbeing team so reaching out to them to make them aware of you and your history could be really helpful. You could also look at local services, or identify who you can reach out to in those moments when life is feeling really hard. Remember this support system could be remote too. For me, sending a text to. People close to me just telling them I was finding it hard really helped to keep the eating disorder in the light.

2. Stick to a Structured Meal Plan (If You Have One)
If you’re working with a dietitian or treatment team, follow your meal plan as best you can. And remember that whilst others might skip meals, if you have had an eating disorder and are in recovery, keeping to your meal plan is essential.

3. Choose Living Arrangements Mindfully
If possible, opt for a living situation that supports your recovery whether that means fewer roommates, a private kitchen, or being closer to supportive friends or family. For me, in my first year I chose to be in halls with a kitchen and where I could get catered for Monday to Friday. I did this as I was afraid of having to cook for myself and wanted to ensure mealtimes were sociable times. It did have it’s own challenges having to choose from the catering on offer but for me it helped me to transition.

4. Set Boundaries Around Diet Talk and Body Talk
University culture often involves casual conversations about dieting, weight, and exercise. Practice setting gentle boundaries like, “I’m working on having healthier relationships with food and my body, so I prefer not to talk about dieting.” I know this is easier said than done, and so if you don’t feel able to set that boundary, remind yourself all your reasons for wanting to get well. 

5. Plan for Dining Hall Challenges
Dining halls can be overwhelming, with unpredictable food options, crowds, and time constraints. Check them out in advance and consider bringing backup snacks if something doesn’t feel safe.

6. Watch Out for Perfectionism and Burnout
High achievers often struggle with both eating disorders and the pressure to overperform academically. Remind yourself that rest and balance are not signs of weakness.

7. Avoid Over-Exercising Under the Guise of “Wellness”
University life often promotes fitness culture, but if you’re still healing your relationship with movement, be cautious. Gentle activity is okay, but make sure it’s coming from a place of care, not compensation or punishment. To help me manage this, I ran with other people on my course and joined the University netball team so that I was exercising with others.

8. Be aware of signs of relapse
I am always aware of my signs of relapsing; from calorie counting, to obsessing over my body to my thinking becoming more rigid. In those moments, I have to choose to fight back to stop the eating disorder romanticising how it made me feel in the past. I am aware of my triggers and very conscious of never letting myself slip into an energy deficit which may keep me stuck in these behaviours.