Don’t know what to eat when you are in a rush to get to classes?  Come see a Nurse On Campus for great healthy breakfast ideas that are ideal for those in a rush. Without a protein and carbohydrate filled breakfast, your mind may not be able to keep up with your body!  Dieticians of Canada state that breakfast helps to improve concentration, manage weight, and reduce hunger. One quick breakfast that will get your mind in gear is peanut butter and jam on whole wheat bread with a banana.  This gives you a grain, a meat alternative and a fruit; 3 out of 4 food groups from the Canada Food Guide.

Whether you have already had sex or not, this is a topic for you.  If you haven’t had sex, how do you know when you will be ready?  You don’t need to have sex to be intimate with another person.   There is more to sex than just having it.  Are you emotionally ready?  Do you know how to prevent the spread of STI’s?  Condoms are great and dental dams are an excellent way to prevent STI’s when having oral sex.  And, did you know that a person cannot give consent to sexual contact when intoxicated?

Once you do become sexually active you should be tested for STI’s regularly.  BC Centre for Disease Control recommends yearly HIV testing if you don’t use condoms from beginning to end, each and every time you have sexual contact.  Student Health Service is a great place to come for your regular STI checks so book your appointment if this applies to you.

To promote regular HIV testing, UBC Student Health Service is hosting an HIV testing event in October where we will be able to provide results in about 5 minutes?

How do you feel about yourself, your accomplishments and your mistakes?  Did you know that poor self-esteem can negatively impact your physical and mental health?  Health Canada states people with high self-esteem are secure and confident because they view their abilities positively and thus have a tendency to take care of themselves.  While those with low self-esteem tend to do things that are not good for their health because they don’t feel worthwhile.  Do you ever wonder how people cope with a break-up or a bad grade?  Likely it is positive self-esteem.  Come by to visit a Nurse On Campus to learn more about self-esteem.

Struggling with your courses?  Not getting the grades you want?  Not sure how to study?  Are your courses stressing you out?  Did you know that stress can impact your health, both mentally and physically?  The Canadian Mental Health Association states that those who suffer from excess stress can suffer from poor health, such as headaches, stomach complaints, and anxiety.  Left unchecked these symptoms can go on to cause serious mental health illnesses and health conditions.  And who wants to be stressed?  UBC has great resources on campus that can help you with your studies.  Come see one of the Nurses On Campus for some study tips and tricks as well as ways to cope with stress.

If you can’t make it to see a Nurse On Campus but would like more information, check out the resources that UBC has to offer.  Or stop by the Wellness Centre to speak with a Wellness Peer Educator.

Are you prepared for an earthquake? UBC ShakeOut will give you hands on practice to “Drop, Cover and Hold”, which is designed to maximize safety during an earthquake. Check out the UBC ShakeOut ad

By Caitlin Funk

On September 17^th, the Fairview Crescent Residence Association (FCRA) hosted a free barbeque before the first football game of the season. It was awesome to see so many residents come out to meet new people and eat some delicious food! Even though friends and free food are amazing, a free-food contest is better.

Five hotdogs were provided for each person – all had to be eaten, bun included, and all were dry. Talk about hard going down! Nine people began this amazing endeavour, but, alas, only one could win… well, first prize that is. After two minutes, it looked bleak, with only one contestant having finished more than one hotdog. But, at the four-minute mark, Sam, a Fairview Resident, was almost finished his fifth hotdog. He finished first and chose a $50 gift certificate for Save-On-Foods. Thomas, also a Fairview Crescent resident, came in second at eight minutes with a very unique strategy; he would dip the hotdog into a drink. Honestly, it looked quite disgusting, but it won him at $25 gift certificate!

After we’d eaten enough, a group of about 30-35 of us went to watch the Thunderbirds destroy the Golden Bears from the University of Alberta with a final score of 40-30. Thanks to the FCRA for providing the food and for RezLife for taking everyone to the football game. Hope to see you all at the next event!