‘Diaphragm and cervical cap effectiveness’, ‘Nose picking’ and lots more…

Here’s the latest Q & As from Go Ask Alice. Topics covered below include ‘Diaphragm and cervical cap effectiveness’, ‘Nose picking’ and lots more…

Click on the links below to read more about subjects that interest you. And remember if you find the articles useful feel free to tell your friends or retweet this blog.

Why is my psychiatrist asking for a blood test?
Allergic to eggs: What else can be used when cooking?
Diaphragm and cervical cap effectiveness
Painful penetration?
Fordyce spots

Naive nose-blower

Nose picking

Sex stops a runny nose?

Rhinoplasty

Bleeding nose and gums

All Go Ask Alice articles are written by Columba University.

Copyright (C) 2014 Columbia University. All rights reserved.

* * * * *

Remember, if you have problems or worries you feel you would like to talk about confidentially, contact Cindy Dring, Health Promotion Officer for NUI Galway at 091-492048. Alternatively e-mail her at cindy.dring@nuigalway.ie or just drop in to Aras Ni Eimhigh.

For more on how to look good, feel good and be in charge of your life as a student at NUI Galway check out Student's Services Health Promotion

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Exam De-stress programme: therapies, support & advice

The Exam De-stress programme provides plenty of low cost destress therapies

for students and staff, including massage, reflexology, shiatsu, Indian Head Massage, Acupuncture and much more. For details check out  Exam De-Stress Programme

As well as the exam distress programme there is plenty of other ongoing support networks on campus for you. Below is info on the support being provided by The Chaplaincy, Exam Support Team, Student Health Unit, Student Counselling and Student Services Health Promotion.  

Chaplaincy

As normal, the Chaplains are available to meet with students, and contact can be made through the Chaplaincy Office, Distillery Rd., by phone or by email. In addition, during exams they offer the following:

·        Pre Exam De-Stress Retreat will take place on Sunday, 7^th December 4 - 6pm in the Chapel. Light supper available afterwards.

·        Monday Evening Meditation Group, 5.30pm in the Chapel Common Room.

·        Taizé Society Prayer Time, Mon. 1^st Dec., 7-8pm in the Chapel Common Room.

·        Pre-Exam Mass & Breakfast: Mon– Fri. will take place in the College Chapel at 8am every morning, followed by a take-away “Breakfast-in-a-bag”, beginning 8^th Dec. until 19^th Dec.

·        The Exam Support Team supports students in distress at the main examination centres (they wear a blue 'Exam Support' T-shirt). If you, or a friend, feel stressed, ill, need to talk to someone, arrive at the wrong venue, forget your pen, calculator or the like, then the Exam Support Team is there to help.  The role of the Team is to offer practical support to students, liaise with the invigilators on your behalf and refer students to other Support Services.

·        The Chapel, the Chapel Common Room and An Gairdín Sosa (beside the chapel) are places where you can pray, relax or study before or after an exam. During exam time they are open every day from 7.45am till 10pm. For further information or support, contact the Chaplains at chaplains@nuigalway.ie or 091 495055

Student Health Unit: The Student Health Unit is located upstairs in Áras na Mac Léinn beside the Student‘s Union and operates a walk-in service where students are allocated a time on a first-come, first-served basis. Its hours are 9.15 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. , Monday to Friday. 

Student Counselling: Counselling is available to all students. Drop in appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis, weekdays between  2.15 p.m. and 4.15 p.m., at 5 Distillery Rd. 

Health Promotion: For a consultation about any aspect of health and wellbeing, email cindy.dring@nuigalway.ie. Or call in to the Wellness Centre to browse a range of  wellness resources. 

For more on support and therapies check out Exam De-Stress

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MANAGING EXAM STRESS: 8. A FINAL WORD

Plan how to get to the exam, remember that several hundred students will be traveling on the same

route, get an early bus or see if you can walk to the exam hall. Don’t rely on vague offers of lifts; make the best arrangements that will work for you. If you sleep it out or have an accident on the way to the exam come in anyway and report to the exam hall. The invigilator will advise you on the best course of action. On the exam day the student union and the student advisers will be present to offer support outside the exam. Once the exam has started, if you are not able to control your anxiety after ten minutes, call the invigilator to your desk.

If your stress has recently increased significantly because of circumstances outside your control (e.g. family problems, accommodation problems, death in the family), see a student advisor, counselor or your academic year co-coordinator to discuss the impact on your exams.

This article was written by Cindy Dring ofStudent's Services Health Promotion. If you have problems or worries you feel you would like to talk about confidentially, contact Cindy at 091-492048. Alternatively e-mail her at cindy.dring@nuigalway.ie or just drop in to Aras Ni Eimhigh.

MANAGING EXAM STRESS 7. Anxiety Management Techniques

a) Thought-stopping technique
When we become anxious we begin to have negative thoughts (‘I can’t answer anything’ ‘I’m going

to panic’ etc) If this is happening, halt the spiraling thoughts be mentally shouting ‘STOP! Or picture a road ‘STOP’ sign or traffic lights on red. Once you have literally stopped the thoughts, you can continue planning, or practice a relaxation technique

b) Creating a mild pain.
Pain effectively overrides all other thoughts and impulses. Even very mild pain – such as lightly pressing you fingernails in your palm – can block feelings of anxiety. Some people find it helpful to place an elastic band around one wrist, and lightly twang it when they are becoming anxious.

c) Use a mantra.
Derived from meditation, a mantra is a word or phrase, which you repeat to yourself. Saying something like ‘calm’ or ‘relax’ under your breath or in your head, over and over again, can help defuse anxiety.

d) Bridging objects. It can help to carry or wear something with positive associations with another person or place. Touching this ‘bridging object’ can be confirmation in its own right; then allow yourself a few minutes to think about the person or situation, which makes you feel good. This can have a really calming effect.

e) Self-talk
In exam anxiety or panic we often give ourselves negative messages, ‘I can’t do this’ ‘I’m going to fail’ ‘I’m useless’. Try to consciously replace these with positive, encouraging thoughts: ‘this is just anxiety, it can’t harm me’ Relax, concentrate, it’s going to be OK’ ‘I’m getting there, nearly over’ 

Now read: MANAGING EXAM STRESS: 8. A FINAL WORD

 

This article was written by Cindy Dring ofStudent's Services Health Promotion. If you have problems or worries you feel you would like to talk about confidentially, contact Cindy at 091-492048. Alternatively e-mail her at cindy.dring@nuigalway.ie or just drop in to Aras Ni Eimhigh.