For first years and returning students alike, the transitioninto college life can be difficult. Managing work, classes andextracurricular activities is often overwhelming, as is simplyadjusting to life on one’s own. The Memorial Health Centerserves as a source of advice and life management skills forstudents beginning their semester.
“For managing stress and optimizing one’s success incollege, I recommend maintaining a balanced lifestyle,” saidDerrick Blanton, clinical psychologist from SMU’s Counselingand Testing Center.
Blanton emphasized that this should be balance over all areas ofone’s life — physical, mental, emotional, spiritual,social and academic.
“The majority of the problems I see are a result ofsomeone who is out of balance…either engaging in too muchactivity or too little,” Blanton said.
He encouraged students to get involved on campus but to rememberto talk to friends and know SMU’s resources (see fact boxes)if they are having problems. He also stressed basic healthychoices, such as a consistent sleep schedule, exercise and healthydiet.
Cheryl Black, director of nursing at the Memorial Health Center,affirmed that advice.
“Remember everything your mother ever told you,” shesaid. Often, the combined changes in students’ lifestyles,like higher stress levels, altered diets and decreased exercise canweaken the immune system and make them more susceptible tosickness.
Community living on campus also makes illness more prevalent.Black stressed that students should remember to wash their hands oruse hand sanitizer to prevent spreading germs.
Another aspect of college life that affects students’wellness is the social scene.
“Most students are making pretty good choices,” saidJohn Sanger, director of the Center for Alcohol and Drug AbusePrevention. However, some students do engage in high-riskbehavior.
Christen Menzel, coordinator of Center for Alcohol and DrugAbuse Prevention, reminded that students don’t have to drinkto have fun, but if they choose to, they should do so responsibly.This includes drinking slowly and alternating with non-alcoholicbeverages.
Sanger also emphasized the dangers of date rape drugs, and thatstudents should never take a drink from someone they don’tknow or leave their drinks unattended.
Campus Services
Memorial Health Center
• Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Full-time students:no charge
• An orthopedic doctor, two OB-GYNs and a dermatologist areavailable at certain times throughout the week, at an extracharge
• Offers allergy injections, vaccinations, immunizationassessments and flu shots
Counseling and Testing Center
• Located in health center
• Counseling available for free
• Tests for personality disorders
• Holds workshops throughout the year
Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention
• Located in health center
• Offers personal assessments, intervention, short-termcounseling, referrals, campus awareness, support groups, educationand training, research, peer consultants and continuing qualityimprovement
• Partners with Temerlin Advertising Institute for thesocial norms/alcohol education campaign
• Works with BACCHUS (Boosting Alcohol ConsciousnessConcerning the Health of University Students), a peer educationgroup focusing on alcohol abuse prevention and other relatedstudent health and safety issues.
