Finals and winter break are right around the corner.  This means that focus, for most Georgia Tech students, is at a minimum when it needs to be at its peak. It’s crunch time as professors try to fit everything in before the end of the semester. In the midst of schoolwork, dreading finals, and anticipating winter break, how can students stay focused?

Research completed by the Office of Institutional Research and Planning found that Georgia Tech students who frequently visit the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) have higher GPAs and are more likely to return to Tech the following year. The study also concluded that those who never visited the CRC represented a significant portion of students who had the lowest grade point averages and, more importantly, did not continue school at Georgia Tech. While there are a number of factors that influence the academic performance of our students, data analysis indicates “that the difference in retention rates are not due to chance alone – frequency of CRC visit does play a role.” For most students, final exams make or break final grades in their classes. The CRC has proven to be an excellent focus enhancer during such a critical time in the semester. 

Whether students come to play basketball or badminton with friends, to reach a new personal best on the track, or to relax in the hot tub, the CRC offers an environment that meets the physical, emotional, and social needs of our students that are crucial to maintain in an academically rigorous atmosphere. This state-of-the-art facility houses many incredible features such as a 15,000 square-foot fitness center, a climbing wall, two pools, and a multipurpose gym. Fourth-year student Liz Bivins says, “I love the variety of workouts I can do at the CRC! If I do not want to run on the track, I can swim, do the climbing wall, or participate in my favorite GIT FIT class (Yoga).”

As the report concluded, “The Campus Recreation Center is a resource that, when fully utilized, enables the Georgia Tech community, particularly its students, to practice healthy behavior.”  Beyond the incredible education that Georgia Tech offers, regular use of the CRC provides many benefits that are important to developing and maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Encourage your students to utilize the CRC when preparing for finals– their focus will increase and studies indicate that their GPA’s will appreciate it!

For more information, visit www.crc.gatech.edu.