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By Alyson Paul

Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, Dean of Students for Gainesville and Cumming campuses

There is no doubt about it! Being a college student is NOT the care-free lifestyle that is portrayed in movies and is often mischaracterized by parents and others. Most college students are balancing multiple responsibilities, including family and jobs, while also having to keep up with class requirements and deadlines. 

With midterms just behind you and major deadlines and tests in front of you, the last thing any college student needs is to get sick or run-down. Although COVID-19 infection rates are declining, the flu season is only beginning. 

Also, as the seasons change from summer to fall, you may find that you are developing allergies that you never experienced before. It is not uncommon for new allergies to develop in young adults.

During the next few weeks, try to take preventative steps to keep your body operating as effectively as possible by:

• Getting 7-8 hours of sleep/each night to ensure that your brain and your body get rest.
• Consider your eating habits and your overall diet to avoid junk food and to seek proteins and vegetables. Food fuels your brain and impacts your ability to focus and learn.
• Find ways to exercise, whether it is with a group, with a partner, or on your own. Exercise helps your body, brain, and digestive system and also reduces stress and anxiety.
• Get your flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines to allow your body to learn to fight off these viruses. Flu vaccines are available in the Student Health Centers Monday through Friday. The next COVID-19 vaccine opportunities are:
  • Dahlonega, Nov. 12, 9-11:30 a.m. Register for an appointment in .
  • Gainesville, Nov. 19, 9-11:30 a.m. Register for an appointment in .
• Increase the frequency of specific methods to reduce the spread of viruses including washing your hands and wearing masks in populated areas.

Listen to your body when it indicates it is fighting off something through symptoms like fatigue, cough, sore throat, or a low-grade fever. If you begin experiencing symptoms, make an appointment with a medical provider. Students who pay the student health fee can make an appointment at the Student Health Center, with contact information below. There is no cost for the appointment or most medications prescribed.

• Dahlonega: stuhealth@ung.edu, 706-864-1948
• Gainesville: stuhealthgvl@ung.edu, 678-696-2676

Also, the Student Health Centers provide self-care centers where students can pick up various over-the-counter medications ranging from lip balm to ibuprofen for free.

Whether you visit the Student Health Center for your symptoms or not, you will want to notify your instructors if you are unable to attend class because of sickness. Students can complete the excused absence request form on the Dean of Students webpage, which will allow the Dean of Students to assist students in making these notifications and will encourage faculty to be flexible with missed assignments where possible.

Finally, students will have the opportunity to participate in asymptomatic testing for COVID-19 before going home for the Thanksgiving break. These opportunities are provided each week and the schedule can be found on the Nighthawks Together webpage.