Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Footer
UNG Logo
  • Info For...
    • Accepted Students
    • Current Students
    • Parents & Family
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Business & Community
    • International Students
  • Quicklinks
    • Directories
    • myUNG
    • Academic Catalogs
    • Athletics
    • Banner
    • Bookstore
    • Calendars
    • Campuses & Maps
    • Continuing Education
    • D2L
    • Employment / HR
    • IT Service Desk
    • Libraries
    • UNG Foundation
  • Admissions
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Academics
  • Cost & Aid
  • Student Life
  • News & Events
  • Athletics
  • About Us

Find the most up-to-date information on the Presidential Search site.

Newsroom
  • All Articles
  • Media Relations Contact
  • Expert Guide
  • Points of Pride
  • Magazine
  • Social Media
    1. UNG
    2. News

    Nigel Cares: Take proactive health steps

    November 1, 2021
    Taking preventative steps can help students stay healthy and allow them to excel in their classes while meeting their personal obligations.

    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. 

    ${_SerializerTool.serialize($image.getChild('alt').text,true)}

    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 UNG Connect.
      • Gainesville, Nov. 19, 9-11:30 a.m. Register for an appointment in UNG Connect.
    • 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.


    Payne, Abegaz will present in Tel Aviv

    Payne, Abegaz will present in Tel Aviv

    UNG faculty members Dr. Tamirat Abegaz and Dr. Bryson Payne will present their research at the Cybertech Global Tel Aviv conference in Israel.
    600 graduates honored at fall commencement

    600 graduates honored at fall commencement

    UNG honored about 600 graduates in commencement ceremonies held Dec. 17 in the Convocation Center at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.
    NISTS conference set for online, Portland

    NISTS conference set for online, Portland

    The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students will have annual conference options online and in Portland in February.
    Women's Holiday Scholarship Luncheon honors students

    Women's Holiday Scholarship Luncheon honors students

    The annual Women's Holiday Scholarship Luncheon hosted by Women of UNG, UNG President Bonita Jacobs and the UNG Foundation took place on Dec. 1 in Gainesville.

    UNG Logo
    • Contact Us
    • Request Information
    • Quick Facts
    • Campus Maps & Directions
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Campus Safety
    • Emergency Information
    • Employment/HR
    • UNG Policies & Procedures
    • UNG Alumni Association
    • UNG Foundation
    • Ethics & Compliance Hotline
    • Human Trafficking Notice
    • Equal Empl. Opportunity

    © 2023 The University System of Georgia and the University of North Georgia.

    UNG follows the section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.0 for web accessibility. If you require this content in another format, please send an email to the ADA Coordinator.

    Use of military-themed imagery does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    • Accreditation
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    Establishing Connection...
    AskNigel