Ali Robertson

Economics test today, history paper due tomorrow and a few too many meetings tonight. Good thing you cancelled your appointment at the student clinic today. After all, your symptoms aren’t that bad. Right?
 
While painful menstrual cramps or that constant sleepy feeling may be convenient to ignore, it is more important now than ever to listen to your body. Phylis Craig, associate director of nursing at the University of Florida Student Health Care Center, offers her advice on when to brush off those pesky little problems, and when to get them checked.
 
Killer cramps

Caroline Smith* listened in disbelief to the nurse on the other end of the phone. Some abnormalities were found in her routine Pap smear, and additional tests that were performed with the Pap smear to determine the root of the problem revealed that Caroline tested positive for the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Caroline’s face went white, and she began to cry. Who had given her the virus? Would she have to share this information with future sexual partners? Was she going to die? Unable to shake the thought that she would live with this disease the rest of her life, her emotions spun out of control. What did it all mean?

What is HPV?

Caroline’s story is sadly not uncommon. In the past decade, HPV has gained more attention than ever from doctors and women’s foundations – and for good reason: each year, 14 percent of collegiettes are infected with the virus, which causes tissue growth and cell changes.

“HPV is the most common viral STD in our country,” says Dr. Jennifer Wider, women’s health expert and author of The Doctor’s Complete College Girls’ Health Guide. It can also be one of the most dangerous. There are more than 100 types of the HPV virus, which can infect cells in the mouth, throat or genital area. While some types cause warts, more serious strains can actually cause cancer. Long-term HPV infections are the leading cause of cervical cancer, making the virus a huge threat to females everywhere.

How is it transmitted?

Your education may be priceless, but it still comes with a hefty price tag. You already know the general costs of going to college—tuition, housing, a meal plan and more. But sometimes, it’s the less obvious expenses at college that will really have you seeing dollar signs. From your academics, to your social life to your basic living habits, here’s a list of hidden costs you should anticipate and start saving for now!

Academics

Books and Supplies
When you head to the store to buy your textbooks, brace yourself for an inevitable hit to your bank account. A 2011 Student Monitor study reported that students throw down an average of $330 for textbooks each semester! While it may be tempting to save time and grab the first full-price textbook you see, it’s always best to explore your options to find cheaper books. Tons of bookstores have jumped on the “rental bandwagon,” letting students borrow books for less. Companies like BookRenter, Chegg and Amazon are also known for their super-discounted book purchases and rentals. Some sites, such as Big Words, even do most of the work for you, comparing stores to make sure you get the most bang for your buck when buying or selling books.

Dorm life: it’s a trademark of the college lifestyle, and it’s a world unlike any other. College is one of the few times when you will be surrounded by hundreds or even thousands of people your age just like you, looking to have an amazing four-year experience. One of the most important parts of this experience, however, is your choice of housing. Nowadays, there are so many different options: single housing, doubles, triples and quads, themed-housing, substance-free housing and so much more. Luckily, HC has rounded up some of the best and worst features of each so you can choose the one that’s best for you!

Choose a single if…

You prefer things your way or the highway.

Pros?
You’ll meet tons of awesome people in college, and sometimes clicking with a random roommate is easy. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. The roommate horror stories have done their job – you cringe at the mere thought of sharing a place with a total stranger. What if she doesn’t clean? What if her nocturnal habits keep you awake? A single dorm may be the way to go if you like everything on your own schedule. In a single, you’re the queen. The decorations, layout, closet space and everything else are totally up to you.

You can listen to your music without headphones, study in silence at any time of the day and have guests stay over without checking with your roommate first (perfect for collegiettes in serious relationships). On the flip side, you also will never have to worry about the awkward, morning-after encounter with your roommate and the guy she brought home from the frat party last night…