This article appears in the 2007 edition of The Sun’s annual Freshman Issue.
Oops! Did you just sprain your ankle tripping over all the stuff you’ve crammed into your new dorm room? Are thoughts of the infamous “freshman 15” keeping you up at night? So, is beginning college finally the right time to quit smoking? Welcome to Cornell.
The next four years will, for the most part, be an exciting and rewarding experience, but what you probably want to know right now is where you can get a refill for your allergy medication.
Before you start to panic, here’s a quick overview of the health and psychological services available at Cornell. Keep this in mind so you know where to turn when the midnight pizzas start to take a toll on your body, and most importantly, so you know that there are many resources to help you when the stress and pressure of being a college student becomes too much to handle.
Cornell’s one-stop shop for all health problems is Gannett: Cornell University Health Services. Located on Ho Plaza, Gannett is the primary care provider of medical services for all enrolled students, as well as other members of the Cornell community. Gannett provides many services ranging from allergy treatment and immunizations to general medical health care.
The health care center can also provide you with information and listings for Ithaca-area practitioners to serve your dental and vision care needs. Gannett can conduct most X-ray examinations as well as most of the laboratory tests that may be prescribed by your doctor during a medical visit. A newly renovated pharmacy is conveniently located on the premises so that you can fill your prescriptions on campus.
Through its Sports Medicine program, Gannett provides primary care services to all Cornell athletes who are on a Cornell athletic team. Gannett also provides physical therapy services for members of the entire Cornell community. Located in Schoellkopf Hall, licensed physical therapists can help you deal with sports related injuries, neck and back pain, and post-surgical care.
Gannett also offers many services to take care of your sexual health needs, such as gynecological care, contraception, pregnancy testing and confidential HIV testing and counseling. Information about safer sex, sexuality counseling and sexual assault assistance for men and women is also available at Gannett.
Those who are thinking about quitting smoking, or have tried unsuccessfully in the past, can also look to Gannett for several tobacco cessation resources. Gannett provides free Quit Kits to students who are preparing to stop smoking, as well as nicotine replacement therapies, and encourages students to make an appointment for a clinical visit to develop a cessation plan.
Gannett also offers an extensive array of counseling and support services, with trained counselors and advisors on staff. Approximately 2,300 students use Gannett’s safe and confidential Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) each year, to talk about experiencing anxiety, loneliness, depression, stress and other personal challenges. The mission of CAPS is to provide students with counseling, psychiatric care and referrals, if necessary.
Among their specialized services, Gannett also provides resources for individuals who are experiencing problems with alcohol or other drugs. Cornell’s Healthy Eating Program (CHEP) is an integrated nutrition service within Gannett that can help respond to students’ concerns about healthy eating, body image and nutrition.
Peer support is also available to students through the Empathy, Assistance and Referral Service (EARS), sponsored by the Dean of Students’ Office of Student Support.
More information about these and other services at Gannett is located at www.gannett.corn-ell.edu.
There are many ways to stay healthy, have fun, enjoy your time here at Cornell and become a part of the Cornell community. Join one of the many student organizations that piques your interest or take up a new and unusual sport through the extensive courses offered by the Physical Education department. The best way to stay in shape and maintain a healthy body and mind is to be proactive about your wellbeing and to utilize the many resources available at Cornell.