Contrary to what you may believe watching films like Animal House and American Pie, the majority of Canadian students today aren't the binge drinking, pot smoking, bad eaters that society makes them out to be.

Whether it's because of continued education on the effects of drugs, alcohol, or other unhealthy lifestyles, or simply because students today are just dull, many kids are listening to those endless lectures from mom and dad saying drugs won't make you cool.

Healthy life choices

In a survey conducted last spring on over 30,000 Canadian students, it was found that the majority of students get their teeth cleaned, use sunscreen, and wear their seatbelts! No longer are they jealous their best friend showed up to a 9 a.m. class on a Monday with skin a shade brighter than the ripest tomatoes. Apparently, no pain no gain no longer applies.

According to the American College Health Association (ACHA), over 85 per cent of college students described their overall health as good, very good, or excellent. The most common ailments in which students have been diagnosed with or are receiving treatment for are back pain (16.9 per cent) and allergies (13.7 per cent).

Eating healthy and getting in regular exercise also seems to be a priority for a lot of young Canadians. Less than four per cent overall report having zero servings of fruits and vegetables every day, leaving over 95 per cent of those surveyed allegedly eating at least 1ÔÇô2 servings a day.

In terms of exercise, only 23.5 per cent say they had not participated in a moderate cardio workout for at least 30 minutes in the past week.

The ACHA also found that over 60 per cent of students have a healthy BMI ranging between 18.5 and 24.9.

The other life choices in moderation

Drinking and partying may also be a little less wild among students today.

Results from a section of the survey determining how much alcohol was consumed the last time the student partied or socialized were surprising in that the majority (51.3 per cent) claim they only had between 1ÔÇô4 drinks. On average, students had around five drinks the last time they partied or socialized.

Aside from alcohol consumption, it was found that even less of the group surveyed have ever smoked a cigarette. Almost three quarters of the student population have never smoked one.

Canadian students were more likely to use marijuana or other drugs. However, the number of participants who still say they never used it is still relatively high at 60.1 per cent and 67.3 per cent respectively.

Either these young adults are seriously watching what they do to their bodies nowadays or they're just too bogged down by overwhelming workloads to have the same college social lives that many once lived. Whatever the reason, listen to this saying you know you've heard your parents say at least once: Don't believe everything you see on T.V.!

Jamie Bertolini is the web editor intern for jobpostings.ca and contributor for Jobpostings Magazine. In her spare time, this media studies and journalism graduate enjoys puttering around her vegetable garden, swimming and scuba-diving the frigid lakes of Ontario, and walking her family pug. Check her out on Twitter @jcbertolini.