Wellness Resources for Parents and Families

UC San Diego supports a healthy learning environment. While college can be a time of adjustment, maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle can be achieved. Encourage your student to use our campus resources, participate in healthy activities, and make good choices.

Get Well Kits

Students can purchase a Get Well kit at Student Health for $5.00. The kit contains the following: a digital thermometer, acetaminophen, cough syrup, hand sanitizer, tissues, throat lozenges, and face masks (for use by students who are sick).

H1N1 Flu Information

For more information about the H1N1 flu and prevention efforts at UC San Diego, please visit: Student Health's Flu Update page.

November '09 The Parent Perspective
  • Social Networking: Making Smart Connections
  • Money Management Made Easy
  • Complete Guide to STIs and Birth Control
  • Making Time for Success

Read November '09 The Parent Perspective

For past issues of The Parent Perspective, visit our Student Health 101 archive page.

Healthy Eating

Eating healthy is an important part of your student's well-being. Many students can be tempted by the french fries, creamy pastas, and stuffed burritos in the dining halls. However, there are a variety of healthy options that can provide important nutrients, while also helping increase energy levels and concentration.

UC San Diego's Dining Services offers many healthy foods and snacks in the campus dining halls. In fact, Housing*Dining*Hospitality's Registered Dietitian Becky McDivitt, has partnered with LiveWell UCSD to create LiveWell meals, which are offered for lunch and dinner at most of the dining halls around campus. LiveWell recipes and other healthy, easy-to-make meals are available on
the LiveWell blog. For more information about Dining Services,
visit Housing*Dining*Hospitality's nutrition website.

Interested in learning more about how students can eat healthy on campus? Watch this short video about how to select healthier foods in the campus dining halls:

 

Stress

College life may become stressful at times, especially when your student is working hard to keep up his or her grades, participating in extracurricular activities, interning or working, and adjusting to newfound independence. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers workshops, groups, and private sessions to help students manage stress and make the most of their time in college. Some of the workshops offered include mindful relaxation, stress management through relaxation training and biofeedback, wellness and relaxation 101, and peace of mind workshops. These services are all free and confidential. caps.ucsd.edu

Getting Involved

A very important part of college life is meeting new people, learning new things, and experiencing a wide range of opportunities. If it seems as though your student is not getting the most out of their college experience or is not meeting new people, suggest that they browse the resources at the Center for Student Involvement (CSI). The Center for Student Involvement provides leadership and community service opportunities, campuswide events, and over 400 student organizations and groups on campus, including social, professional, interest-based, as well as fraternities and sororities. getinvolved.ucsd.edu

Physical Wellness

Regardless of your health insurance (UC San Diego UHSIP insurance or private), all students are welcome to use Student Health Service (SHS). Accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc., Student Health Service is a full service doctor’s office. SHS offers services such as: urgent care, men’s and women’s health info sessions, immunizations, and outreach and education. If your student feels sick, needs immunizations for travel, or needs prescriptions, encourage them to go to SHS. studenthealth.ucsd.edu

Another great resource for students to get involved, stay fit, and de-stress is to utilize one of the 3 gyms on campus and various recreation classes. Recreation also offers Outback Adventures, a program that offers day and weekend trips, such as backpacking in Joshua Tree or snorkeling at the La Jolla Cove.  recreation.ucsd.edu

Financial Planning

Whether your student is primarily responsible for paying tuition and school fees or you are helping out, it is important that your student knows how to budget and plan for expenses. If your student needs additional support in finding ways to finance school, suggest the Financial Aid office, where representatives can provide information about loans, grants, scholarships, and FAFSA updates. fao.ucsd.edu

If your student is looking for a job on or off campus, Career Services Center has many online resources, workshops, and events that help students find jobs/internships, write effective resumes, and prepare for interviewing. Students can also meet with a counselor who will guide them through the job-finding process. Career Services hosts quarterly job fairs on Library Walk with prospective employers and as well as many workshops on networking and business etiquette. On campus job openings are listed on Port Triton, a service available to all students. career.ucsd.edu

Relationships

Whether it’s a significant other from high school, a friend, or a new roommate, your student will have many interactions with people while in college. Some of these may require additional support from on campus resources like CAPS, where students can express their issues and find out the best methods of handling the situation. caps.ucsd.edu

Safety

The Community Service Officer (CSO) Program serves the UCSD campus community by providing a campus safety escort service 365 days/year from sunset until 1:00 a.m. (at which time, either RSOs or police officers are available to handle escorts). If your student is walking back from class or walking across campus late at night and does not feel safe, advise them to call 858-534-WALK(9255) and a CSO will escort them to their destination.

CSOs also patrol parking lots on the campus during the day and lockup various campus buildings on weekends and holidays. CSO special details vary from lockup services to security at campus buildings, events, and conferences. CSOs respond to medical emergencies, monitor for adherence to alcohol and drug policies, and check for proper identification while working special details.