The Smart Guide to University Health

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Whether it’s UCL, St. Andrews or Exeter, leaving home to go to university and making it on your own can be exciting and daunting in equal measures.

As well as taking out insurance, packing your laptop, cans of baked beans and yoga mat, we think it’s just as important to take a look at your health before you get in the car and start this life changing journey.

Life in halls or a shared house can be fun, but with mum not there to tell you to wash your hands (we know she still does) or your best mate to remind you to ‘be careful’ when you go on a date, things can soon slide, but we are here to make sure they don’t.

Vaccinations
Your red book will probably be safe in the loft, but before the big days arrives, do some research and just check that your tetanus, measles, mumps and meningitis jabs are all up to date. While you’re at it, the NHS website gives some pretty good advice on what to look for when it comes to symptoms for these illness, so grab a coffee and have a read, just to be on the safe side.

First Aid
Yes, we know this is boring, but packing a mini first aid kit might be a good idea. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters and antiseptic can all be added to the family shop before you go away and you can store them in a biscuit tin and use when the need occurs.

Let’s Talk About Sex
Whether you are in a long-term relationship or are young, free and single, it is worth having a chat with your practise nurse about contraception for when you are away. There will lots of parties, and booze, when you hit Fresher’s Week and while hangovers go away STIs and pregnancies will last for longer, so be safe.

Regular Medication
If you take any other regular medication, maybe anti-depressants or you have an inhaler, make sure you get a supply of these before you leave and then find out who your local GP is or sign up with the University Medical Centre and store their numbers in your phone. Now, if you do have a long-term condition, such as diabetes or epilepsy, you don’t need to broadcast it to the world, but it might be worth giving your flatmates the low down and letting them know where any vital medicines are kept.

Say Cheese
Your teeth are important so have a check up and get any treatment done before you go to uni. You can also use this as a chance to book your next appointment for February half term and if you don’t think you’ll be back, ask your Student Union about local dentists and register, fast, and do the say with the local GP or

Get the Digits Down
Keep a number for next of kin in your mobile phone under NOK or ICE (‘next of kin’ or ‘in case of emergency’) and find out where the local A&E and drop-in health centres are and make a note of the numbers because you never know when you might need them.

Fresher’s Flu
You’ve probably heard the rumours about this one but many freshers go down with a cold type virus in the first half term simply because they are coming into contact with lots of new people and their germs. Try to eat a good diet (not just pizza and chips at midnight), drink plenty of water, take a vitamin supplement and if you can, do get some sleep as all of this will help keep your immune system strong. If you fall ill with a virus, antibiotics won’t help, so wrap up, get some rest and head to that first aid box you thought we were making a fuss about.

Whatever else you do, have fun and enjoy!

Team Pure-Beauty

The university checklist

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Well, you have only gone and done it and got a place at university.

Congratulations.

Now the partying is over, it’s time to get down to business, book your accommodation, buy those books and pack your stuff.

Whether you a moving into halls, a student flat or shared house, you will want to take your creature comforts as well as essentials with you, so we have put together a checklist to get you started.

Documents
Before you leave home, have these documents with you, as well as getting copies and emailing it to yourself and your parents:
University and course acceptance letter plus exam certificates
Accommodation contract and insurance documents
Student loan documents
Bank account details, card and cheque book
Driving license and passport as well as up NHS number and National Insurance card

Gadgets
You will be so used to having everything under one roof, you might forget that you won’t be just a gadget away when you aren’t at home. This might seem like a big list, but it is worth having:
Laptop plus charger, USB stick and an ethernet cable
Mobile phone and charger
Headphones
Power extension cable with surge protection
Printer with ink

Kitchen
Yes, you could eat out all the time, but it makes more sense to do cook for yourself and to do this you will need:
A frying pan or a wok and a sauce pan
A cutlery set, sharp knife, scissors and spare teaspoons
Two glasses, mugs, plates and bowls
A baking tray and mixing bowl
A water bottle – buying endless bottles of mineral water on campus soon adds up
Tea towels, cloths, kitchen roll, soap and washing up liquid
A box of basic groceries with cereal, bread, milk, jam, tea, coffee, pasta, ketchup and an emergency bottle of vodka to break the ice with your neighbours

Your bedroom
Your bedroom will be your sanctuary so make it as comfortable as you can and take:
Two sheets, two duvet covers and pillow cases as well as a decent duvet and pillows
Mattress protector – take our word for it on this one
Clothes and coat hangers
Photos of friends & family as well as posters and Blue Tac
A lamp and lampshade
A mirror
Contraception

Bathroom
We can’t promise you will get an en-suite at uni so be prepared to share a bathroom and take this little lot with you so you, and your surroundings, are clean and fresh.
Several towels
Medication and a basic first aid kit with plasters, paracetamol, antiseptic cream and wipes
Febreeze and washing powder
A toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, shop, shower gel, bubble bath and any other home comforts
Toilet roll

Of course, you won’t be far from a Tesco or Boots, so you can shop when you arrive but this little should help to get you started and can probably be paid for by the bank of mum and dad before you leave.

Good luck!

Team Pure-Beauty