It is important that you try to stay fit and healthy while at University, remember you are now responsible for your health and wellbeing! Here are our top tips (although there are many more) to ensure you are in the best position to help yourself.

 

Register with a Doctor 

Don’t leave it until you fall ill to sign up! The NHS provide you with all the information that you, including a full list of GPs in Chichester and Bognor Regis. If you have more questions visit the health centre on campus.

 

Eat healthily 

A lack of routine; over-socialising & drinking; a full workload; cooking for yourself and being in charge of your own food for the first time can all affect your eating habits as a student. You might also experience the phenomenon of the ‘Freshers 14’ – we are not talking about 2014 but when students reckon they put on an average of 14 pounds in weight when they start Uni. Planning your meals, avoiding eating out too much and reducing your alcohol intake can all help you to stay healthy. 

 

Mental Health 

Be prepared for the ups and downs of university life; although a lot should be enjoyable and fun it is normal to feel somewhat lost and a bit sad over your first few weeks. For those away from home for the first time homesickness is a recognised condition, brought about by changes in environment, diet, sleeping patterns and relationships and it can affect anyone and everyone to varying degrees. If you are worried that you may have mental health issues, whether depression, anxiety or stress, it is important that you speak to someone about it. The University’s Student Support and Wellbeing team can provide on campus professional and specialist support, the SU Vice-President (Welfare) is available as a friendly ear or someone to help direct you to the best professional service on or off campus.

 

Sexual Health 

Alcohol may lower inhibitions, and when you have been drinking it’s easy to feel overly confident. An STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection, formerly STD, Sexually Transmitted Disease) or an unwanted pregnancy could be the worst hangover you’ve ever had! If you are or could be sexually active, be prepared and carry protection with you. 

N.B.  the contraceptive pill does not protect you from STIs and they can be caught just as easily through oral sex

Prevention, is better than a cure so we offer free advice and contraception at the SU.  Pick up FREE condoms at the SU, if you don’t want to come to the SU offices, then they can be collected from the Bars on both campuses and the Student Support and Wellbeing office.

Sometimes love hurts, but if the pain is physical its best to get that checked out.