Going to College and Staying Healthy: Health Services and Health Care Providers

Going to College and Staying Healthy:
Health Services and Health Care Providers

What is a Student Health Service?

The Student Health Service at your college is probably the first place you will go when you have health care needs. The amount of care you can get at your Student Health Service depends on the college that you attend. At many colleges, you can get medical care, medications, advice, information, or counseling at your Student Health Service. There is usually medical, nursing, and health education staff available at the Student Health Service. Counseling is available at Student Counseling Services. The professionals are familiar with the issues that college students face (stress, eating disorders, nutrition, sexual relationships, alcohol issues, sports injuries, etc.). At most Student Health Services, you can also get a gynecologic exam. Staff will work with you to keep you healthy and respond to your questions and concerns. If any of these options are not available to you at your Student Health Center, ask the staff where you can go. Or ask your friends at college where they go.

When should I go to the Student Health Service?

You should contact or go to your Student Health Service if you:

Have any medical or health issue that you are concerned about
Have a high fever
Have pain when you urinate
Have a new discharge from your vagina
Have too few or too many menstrual periods
Have pains in your stomach or lower abdomen
Have chest pain, trouble breathing, or a cough that won't go away
Have symptoms that make you concerned or that last for more than a week, such as vomiting or diarrhea
Need birth control or a check for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Think you might be pregnant
Have mental distress
Think you may have broken a bone
Have an emergency like a lab spill
Have any questions about your health
Are assaulted
Are sad, depressed, anxious, or unable to sleep

How do I get a provider to see me at my Student Health Service?

Call your Student Health Service and ask if you need to call to set up an appointment or if you can just come when you have a problem. If you have to call to set up an appointment, tell the staff when you call why you're making the appointment. If you do this, your provider will be ready to help you with your problem when you come. Make sure you schedule your appointment so you have enough time to get there without rushing. Also make sure you have enough time afterwards in case the visit runs longer than you expected. Some Student Health Services offer walk-in appointments.

How should I prepare for my appointment?

Think of any questions that you want to ask beforehand and any concerns that you have, and write them down. Make sure that you bring a copy of your medical records and a list of your immunizations with you when you first go to your Student Health Service. If you are taking a lot of medications, you might just want to put them all in a bag and bring them with you to your appointment. Also, bring a list of any other providers that you are seeing, including general providers and specialists (providers that work in one area of medicine, such as an allergist that deals with only allergies). Also, if you have ongoing problems, such as a headache all the time, keep a list and bring it to your appointment. For additional information on this topic, see health information sheet Choosing a Primary Health Care Provider.

What should I do at my appointment?

First of all, arrive early so you give yourself time to settle down, collect your thoughts, and fill out any forms. You may want to bring a friend or significant other with you to make the visit less stressful or to help you ask questions. When you meet with your provider, make sure you ask your questions and voice your concerns. Don't leave before your provider answers all of your questions and talks to you about any concerns that you may have. If you don't understand something your provider says, ask him/her to say it again more clearly. Your provider should be patient and should be willing to explain things to you. You should receive good care at your Student Health Service, but if you don't, be assertive and ask to see another provider. The most important thing is for you to be happy with the care that you get at your Student Health Service.

What do I do if I need health care that the Student Health Service cannot provide?

The staff at your Student Health Service knows physicians, specialists, gynecologists, and mental health clinicians in the community in case you need additional care not provided at the Student Health Service. They will help you find someone qualified to help you with your specific problem.

What if I have an emergency?

If you have a problem or injury that needs attention right away, go straight to your Student Health Service. If your Student Health Service is not open, you should go to a nearby hospital. Find out from your Student Health Service where the closest hospital is and how to get there. The police at your college should be willing to take you if you have no way to get there or you are physically unable to drive there. If the problem is very serious and you shouldn't waste any time, call 911 for an ambulance to come and get you.

Should I continue to see my primary care doctor once I start college?

You may still want to go to your primary care doctor or nurse practitioner for your health care if you continue to live nearby. But if you are going to live on campus and you are far away, you will likely choose to go the Student Health Service for your health care. If there is not a Student Health Service at your college, most schools will give you a list of health services in the area around your college. You can always call your primary care clinician if you have any questions. And you can always go for a health care visit once you are home on vacation from college.

Make sure you buy a book about personal health care!

Check out these other College Health Guides:

Knowing About My Health Before I Go to College

First Aid Supplies to Take with Me to College

Staying Healthy at College

Some Common Health Problems at College

Violence/Abuse in Relationships