Inside Tomorrow's Pharmacist (2001)

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How to become and remain a healthy student

How to become and remain a healthy student by Noel Wicks

Getting started

The most important thing you can do when you first start your course is find out where all the local facilities are and make use of them from the beginning. The students' union usually produces a handbook explaining about the services run at the university, ie, counselling, telephone help lines, free solicitors, appeals procedures, hardship funds. The union usually has a sabbatical welfare officer who can be of great help in times of need as they usually know where and when these things can be accessed.

Most universities will have a medical centre — get registered and check out the different services that they offer; don't wait until its an emergency. The same goes for a dentist. Ask older students if they know of a reputable dentist in the area and whether they take NHS patients as many now only take private patients.

It goes without saying that you should know where your nearest pharmacy is, pay it a visit and get an HC1 form. This is the form you need to apply for exemption from prescription charges, dental treatment, eye tests and even NHS wigs! Once you've hit 19 you don't always get your prescriptions free (even as a student), unless you're lucky enough to live or study in Wales, where anyone under 25 is exempt. Send the form off as soon as possible, you will either get nothing free, everything free, or a level which you will pay up to, but then the Government will pay the rest. The type of help you receive depends on your income during the year. If you haven't applied or received a reply make sure you get NHS receipts for everything as it can all be claimed back later.

Mental health

Throughout your time at university you are going to be mentally challenged, be it exams, relationships, troubles at home or even with your course. We all have difficulties at one time or another, and it's important that you know when to ask for help and not to feel embarrassed about getting a little support. This could come from many sources depending on what the problem is.

If it is an academic problem, such as difficulty in a certain subject or a conflict with a lecturer, I would suggest speaking to your tutor, failing that your head of year. If you still aren't happy make an appointment with the head of department; you may have to wait a couple of days but they are usually very understanding and well experienced in most academic problems. If you need independent help and advice, for example if you want to challenge the department on something — like keeping you back a year — contact your student union welfare officer. The union will have measures in place to help students with appeals procedures and is usually well versed in the policies of your specific university. My advice would be to get them involved right from the start; if you don't, you risk not giving yourself the best chance.

There are many other things that can impact upon your mental health while studying and, luckily, universities are starting to provide more and more help to those students who experience difficulties. They may offer a counselling service or a free 'phone number that you can call. These are confidential services and are often promoted within the universities; check out the university website or the student union for more details.

Of course, talking with friends and family can often be enough to set your mind at rest and get some good advice.

If you feel it's more a medical issue (eg, depression or an aspect of your physical health that is affecting you psychologically), speak to your GP. If your surgery is near or on the campus the staff will be acutely aware of problems that affect students. There is still a stigma attached to having these difficulties but I promise you that you're not alone. What you must not do is ignore the problem and hope it goes away, as this usually results in a worse situation later on.

Financial health

Money can be one of the biggest stresses during your undergraduate years, and as such is a source of much unhappiness. For many it is the first time in their lives that they are faced with debts. My advice here is to be sensible with your money but don't forget your education is an investment for the future and once you qualify you'll be earning a respectable wage. The same goes for part time jobs, don't burn out working late nights for £4 an hour, be sensible about how you use your time and always leave some for yourself. If you get the chance during the holidays get a vacation placement, the money is usually good and of course the experience you get is invaluable for your studies.

If you do find yourself struggling even after using up your loans and allowances there are other options. Of course getting a part-time job is one and most universities have hardship funds; however, these can be difficult to access. There are two other options available to students — personal loans and/or credit cards. I would advise extreme caution here as you could get ripped off, especially if you are using credit cards as a source of funds — they usually have extremely high interest rates. The Natwest bank has a preferential loan scheme for professional students (eg, doctors, vets, dentists, pharmacists), where you can borrow up to £15,000 once you've gone into second year. Of course you have to pay it back, but the rates are good and at least it's from a reputable lender. I would discuss this with parents, friends and of course the bank to see if it's for you.

Physical health

Student life is very demanding on the body as well as the mind, so it's important to try and remain in tip-top condition. Some of the following tips will help but it's important to have regular check-ups, keep an eye on yourself and also your friends.

When you arrive at university, it's not uncommon to get "freshers flu" as you are being introduced to a whole range of new and exciting bugs. Hopefully, this will be the worst you'll experience but be aware of meningitis symptoms (photophobia, severe headache, stiff neck and a rash which does not disappear with pressure).

At this time in their life people are usually in good physical shape, help keep it this way by doing strenuous physical exercise at least three times a week (this means raising your pulse to between 60 and 80% of your maximum). You should also watch your diet, the body cannot live on kebabs and beans-on-toast alone. Try and have at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, and NO, vodka and orange doesn't count as one portion! It may also be beneficial to take a multivitamin and mineral, often vegans and vegetarians can find it difficult to get their recommended daily allowances of these.

Sexual health is something that you may not have thought about before, but it can often be prudent to think about it before any 'accidents' happen. I'm sure I don't need to tell you about the dangers of unprotected sex, HIV and AIDS being a real issue. What isn't as well known is the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases, such as warts, chlamydia and gonorrhoea. They are all increasing dramatically and the student population is one of the worst effected. It can often be difficult to know if someone has an infection as they either don't like to talk about it or don't know they have it (ie, being an asymptomatic carrier). If you think you may have contracted an STD then either see your doctor or book into the local GUM (genito-urinary medicine) clinic. These clinics are very discreet and won't need to contact your doctor to be able to give you treatment.

One thing you are sure to come into contact with is drugs and alcohol — and that's just your course! Be sensible, drink within your limits, stay with friends — no wandering off with strangers, even good-looking ones, get taxis home, and drink plenty of water before you go to bed — this minimises hangovers. As for drugs, a word of warning, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society takes a stern line when it comes to drugs and just because you're an undergraduate doesn't mean they have no powers; in other words, they may not allow you to join the register.

I hope some of this helps, remember as a pharmacy student you have access to a lot of information and also practitioners, so use them wisely.

Mr Wicks is owner of the Campus Pharmacy, University of Stirling and past president of the British Pharmaceutical Students' Association