If you are going to be attending college in the state of Texas this school year, you need a meningitis shot before you can move into your on-campus apartment or dorm room.

There is a new state law in Texas that all entering freshmen have to have this shot prior to moving into their dorm rooms. Unfortunately, despite the many efforts of colleges in Texas to get this information to their incoming students, several of them still have not gotten their shots, and are unable to move to campus until they have provided the documentation showing they have received it. Aside from getting the shot, there is also a 10 day incubation period that all students must go through, which means that even if you get the shot four days before you’re supposed to move in, you still will not be allowed into the dorms until day 10.

Schools have made every attempt to stay on top of reminding students about getting their shot. They have enclosed reminders in acceptance letters, made mention of the law during orientation, sent out emails and letters and even made phone calls to students’ homes. Some of the major schools affected by this new law include University of North Texas, Texas A&M University, Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas at Austin. Unfortunately, students have still been falling short on getting their shots. North Texas has the highest number of students without shots at eight percent. Read the rest of this entry »

After an exhausting week of classes, it’s time to unwind. How do most college students relax on a Friday night? For me, it usually includes hanging out with my friends, a few glasses of wine, and a couple of parties. For others, it’s slamming shots, chugging beers and waking up the next morning not entirely sure of how you got home.

Now, I am not saying that all college students are complete drunkards, but the fact is, most college students drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol is a part of the college experience, but that doesn’t mean that you should drink yourself under the table: it’s just not classy.  Here are my tried and true tips for not getting too drunk and maintaining some of your dignity:

Eat something before you drink. You do not need to stuff yourself, but try to eat a little something before you start drinking. Carbohydrates and healthy fats, like mixed nuts or a slice of whole wheat bread with peanut butter, are your best bet. Eating will slow down the rate your body absorbs the alcohol into your blood stream, and will help you better control the amount you consume. Read the rest of this entry »

A college education isn’t necessarily good for your health. Between stress, deadlines, easy access to junk food, and lots of alcohol, students don’t always take care of themselves. For a healthier lifestyle, here are some simple tips to incorporate into your everyday life on campus. Don’t worry—you don’t have to do all of these—but by mixing some of these ideas into your routine, you’ll improve your health little by little.

1. Walk or bike whenever possible. (This saves money on gas too!)
2. Avoid eating pizza and other goodies in the middle of the night.
3. Work in exercise by taking a physical education class.
4. Carry around a water bottle.
5. Eat breakfast every day, even if it’s just a piece of a fruit or a quick bowl of cereal.
6. Make time to schedule in regular doctor and dentist appointments.
7. Try to keep exams and other stress in perspective–the consequences of failure probably aren’t as dire as you think!
8. As much as possible, stick to a regular sleep schedule. Remember, sleep needs to be a priority, no matter what.
9. Carry healthy snacks in your backpack, like fruit or healthful snack bars.
10. If you eat at a campus dining hall, limit consumption of soda. Drink lots of water, along with moderate servings of milk and juice.
11. Keep in mind that binge drinking is as bad for your waistline as it is for the rest of your body.
12. Don’t use exams and other stressful academic times as an excuse to pig out– at least not too much!
13. Limit fast food consumption. It’s quick, easy, and cheap when you’re a student, but don’t overdo it.
14. Look for healthier fast food alternatives around campus, like a snack cart that sells hummus and pita, or a sub shop that sells healthier sandwiches.
15. Deal with stress with brisk walks or jogs.
16. As much as possible, try to stick to regular meal times.
17. Don’t be shy about using the campus mental health center if you need someone to talk to, or need more serious help.
18. Get a flu shot, as college campuses are full of people in close proximity and all of their germs.
19. If you use dorm showers, be sure to wear flip flops to protect your feet.
20. Never cut down on calories so you can consume more alcohol.