Residential college food continually left her feeling sluggish and bloated.
She soon switched to the vegetarianism, before cutting out dairy.
Then she began doing some research into veganism.
"I used to think that it was this weird mythical thing that only weirdos and hippies did.''
Miss Woolford said after she started to learn more, the lower risk of disease and a healthier lifestyle appealed, along with not contributing to the meat industry.
"I wouldn't go out and kill a cow myself so why would I condone that?''
• Good food need not be costly
Unlike many students who struggled to shift the "fresher five'' (5kg weight gain) throughout their time at university, Miss Woolford's health had improved.
During her transition she shed about 12kg, which she credits to cutting out processed foods like biscuits and cheese.
"It's just a lot easier to be healthy now.
"I'm always so full of energy, I'm sleeping better, I just feel great''.
Miss Woolford said her attitude towards her body was healthier as well.
She said she did not restrict calories as she did when she was younger, instead eating kumara, tofu, oats, quinoa, rice and vegetables until she was full.
"I can't remember the last time I sat down and ate a salad to be honest with you.''
• Karl Leisky is a fifth-year arts student who also attended a large residential college in his first year, where he lived on "pretty gross'' hall food.
When he went flatting, his focus was on buying cheap cuts of meat and carbohydrates to save money, leaving him feeling constantly "greasy''.
His decision to go vegan meant he could spend the $15 he would have spent on meat on a pile of vegetables, and cook something that wasn't mince on toast for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
He said the differences he had noticed in his health were due to the variety and nutrients in his daily diet.
His said his concentration had improved and he was no longer hungry throughout the university day.
"For me sleep has been the biggest indication. If I'm needing a tonne more sleep it shows I'm not getting everything I need''.
When flatting with "extreme meat-eaters'', Mr Leisky said he sometimes found it difficult when chicken would leak over his vegetables in the fridge.
"I had a flatmate who would cook a batch of mince and eat it over a week and half. It drove me insane.''
• Sophie Kember finished her degree at the end of last year.
She changed to a "paleo'' diet in her third year after noticing her health going downhill.
Miss Kember said the Dunedin lifestyle was leaving her sick and bloated.
"It became clear to me that my body was not liking what I was giving it.''
Like many other students, Miss Kember began Otago life in a residential hall, where her diet was "not flash''.
Since adopting the paleo diet she had to cook for herself and said she found herself spending a lot more time and money on quality food.
"Because I wasn't purchasing foods that spread out meals like rice or oats, I did find that my shops were more expensive ... on average $130 to $150 per week. If you purchase fruit and veges seasonally it would make the shop cheaper.''
She said the results were worth the expense.
"After changing to a paleo diet, results came fast. I felt that I had much more energy, was less hungry and I found my body was less bloated.''
The meals fuelling her study were not typical student fare.
"My meals varied often but basically I just ate a lot of veges. Breakfast was usually a green smoothie or chia pudding. Snacks would be nuts and seeds, dinner I would have chicken or lamb and my main carbohydrate was pumpkin or kumara.''
Often she would struggle to find food on campus that was allowed in the paleo diet.
"Basically, food out of a pack in my opinion is not the best for a healthy food option. My rule is that if you can't pronounce an ingredient you probably shouldn't be eating it.''
Miss Kember said her transition to being a paleo student was life-changing and she encouraged all students to think about how little processed foods effectively fuel their bodies.
"Poor-quality foods can lead to illness. Paleo makes sense to me because it is eating food in the way that Mother Nature intended''.
