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Health and Safety for College Students

Photo: A group of college studentsLearn what you can do to enjoy college the safe and healthy way!

 

A group of college students

The college years are a time of change that brings new excitement, challenges, risks, and responsibilities. Meeting new people and learning new things is exciting, but it can also be stressful. Some students may become depressed because of personal issues, mounting debt, or change in general. Studying can be time-consuming and tiring. Dating, making friends, and trying to fit in can also be difficult for some. It can be hard to take good care of your health, including exercising and taking the time to prepare and eat healthy meals. It can also be hard to deal with the pressures to drink, look thin, smoke, use drugs, or be sexually active. However, by taking small, daily steps, the college years can be fun, safe, and healthy!

Learn more about college health and safety issues, including ways to:

  • Improve eating habits
  • Avoid fatigue and sleep deprivation
  • Maintain mental health
  • Avoid substance use
  • Have healthy relationships and prevent sexual violence
  • Prevent sexually transmitted diseases

If you or someone you know has a health or safety concern, get help.

  • Talk to someone you trust, such as a parent, doctor, nurse, social worker, teacher, counselor, or religious leader.
  • If available, visit the college infirmary or health center. If not, seek care from a local clinic or hospital, or as required or recommended by your school.
  • Contact the campus or community police for safety concerns or in the case of an emergency.
  • Take steps every day to live a safe and healthy life.

Quick Quiz

A student raising his hand.

  1. What condition can run in families, usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30, and is experienced by about 18.8 million Americans?
  2. How many drinks for males in one setting is considered binge drinking? How many drinks for females in one setting is considered binge drinking?
  3. Among persons aged 12–20 years, drinking alcohol contributes to which three leading causes of death?
  4. Are males or females more likely to be a victim of sexual violence?
  5. True or false: Sexually active adolescents and young adults are at lower risk for getting sexually transmitted diseases.
  6. True or false: Teens and young adults who do not get enough sleep are at risk for automobile crashes, poor grades and performance in school, depressed moods, and problems with peer and adult relationships.

Answers: 1) depression; 2) males- 5, females- 4 or more; 3) unintentional injury, homicide, suicide; 4) females; 5) false; 6) true

More Information

USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov

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