Colleges and universities are increasingly being urged to encourage physical activity among students, according to Melissa Bopp, a kinesiology professor at Penn State. Bopp highlights that young adults typically get less physical activity than they did in high school, and their activity levels drop even further in colder weather. In recent years, U.S. college students have seen a rise in multiple health risks, with over 30%—40% of men and 22% of women—experiencing high blood pressure, and nearly a third dealing with depression or anxiety. Bopp, who has conducted extensive research on promoting physical activity and health in college students, emphasizes that educational institutions can play a key role in helping students develop lifelong healthy habits. In one recent study, she found that college students who participated in physical activity courses reported lower stress levels and fewer symptoms of depression. Physical activity is known to offer a wide range of benefits, including improved heart and bone health, better mood, increased mental clarity, stronger immune systems, more energy, reduced risk of anxiety and depression, and better sleep. These benefits are especially significant for young adults, who often struggle with poor sleep and high stress from academic and living transitions. As young adults move between college, home, and work, they often become less physically active. In high school, physical education and sports are usually part of the daily routine, but after graduation, many students lose that structure. College offers more autonomy, but only a small percentage of students participate in intercollegiate sports, compared to those who played in high school. Instead, college students tend to engage in leisure activities, such as walking or biking, and active transportation. Meanwhile, non-student young adults, especially those in blue-collar jobs, may be more physically active at work. However, the mental health benefits of leisure activity are more clearly linked than those from work-related physical activity. Colleges have a unique opportunity to shape students' physical activity habits. Courses that include physical activity have been shown to improve overall health, including mental and social well-being. These classes are especially valuable for students who didn’t develop strong fitness habits in high school or who disliked physical education. By offering such courses, colleges signal that they value health and fitness. These classes can help students overcome the initial challenge of starting an exercise routine and learn how to set goals and create a fitness plan—skills many leave high school without. Participating in these classes can build confidence and competence in physical activity, which Bopp's research shows is a key factor in long-term activity. Her team also found that students in these classes felt more connected to their peers and experienced better mental health, though this finding has not yet been published. Ultimately, the goal is not just to produce successful professionals, but successful individuals, and physical activity plays a vital role in that pursuit.