Since the beginning of its introduction, social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instragram, Pintrest, Tumblr, have attracted millions of users; many of whom have integrated these sites into their daily lives. Most sites cater to a diverse audience. Among that diverse audience are CSULA college students. Whether social media is used for entertainment, friends, relationships, or even school work; it is important for students to recognize when it is interfering or overtaking school, and how to get help.
College students are heavy users of social media compared to the general population (2). According to the 2012 National College Health Assessment II (NCHA), students reported factors affecting their individual academic performance. Among these factors, internet use accounted for 12.5%. Academic performance is defined as: received a lower grade on an exam, or an important project; received a lower grade in the course; received an incomplete or dropped the course; or experienced a significant disruption in thesis, dissertation, research, or practicum work (1).
It is possible that some students of CSULA could have an addiction to these sites? Researchers have suggested that the excessive use of new technologies (and especially online social networking) may be particularly addictive to young people. In accordance with the biopsychosocial framework for the etiology of addictions and the syndrome model of addiction, it is claimed that people addicted to using Social Networking Sites (SNS) experience symptoms similar to those experienced by those who suffer from addictions to sub- stances or other behaviors(3). Signs of possible social networking addiction include: frequently visiting the sites for long time, experiencing negative psycho- logical or physical effects when the activity wasn’t available, and scheduling other activities around online time (4).
Here are a few ways in which students can decrease their usage of social media sites or stop all together, if desired. It is important that students do
not check any of these sites while in class or studying for an exam. Set a schedule time throughout your day or week in which you have free time, and only free time to engage in such activities. This could be when you’re home from school after you have done all assign¬ments necessary and studied for an exam. Set some goals as to why you check your Facebook. Face¬book can be used to keep in touch with friends, classmates, families or organizations. Make sure you don’t stray from your goals and keep on track. To stop social media sites in class make sure to only open up websites, powerpoints, etc. that are affiliated with the class you are in. It may help to delete tabs you may have saved in your browser that could tempt you to check you media sites.
Take into account how much time you spend each week on your social media sites. Make a list of other possible activities that you could be engaging in instead. For example this could be proactive activities like setting a workout schedule into your daily routine, joining a sports activity, volunteering in your community, or pick¬ing up a part time job. It could even be some¬thing as simple as asking a friend you haven’t seen in a while (who you may interact with on Facebook) to get coffee/lunch in your area. It is important to estab¬lish good relationships and com¬munications with people in person rather than through the internet or other indirect ways (5).
If needed, you might want to reevaluate your life activities and stop Facebook all together for a substantial amount of time. Stu¬dents may think to themselves, “Yes of course I could do that eas¬ily, no big deal”; but once they ac¬tually attempt to steer away, they may realize just how much it has be integrated in their lives and find it harder than they initially anticipat¬ed. There are a couple of ways to do this. Deactivate your account and do not log back in. Set a goal: 2 weeks, 1 month, and see how this affects your life. During the month of March, several statuses on my Facebook read “40 days of lent = 40 days of no Facebook for me.” Other important times could be during very important weeks of your quarter midterms week, or finals week, shut off all usage. If any students use Firefox browser this may help them as well. Rather than deactivation, Firefox actually has a tool in which you can block certain websites from being viewed. You may add your social media sites to this tab for a desired amount of time (5).
If additional help is needed, in¬dividual counseling is available through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at the Cal State LA Student Health Center. Currently enrolled students pay a mandatory Student Health fee as part of their registration fees each quarter. Counseling services are no additional cost for students. To schedule an appointment, call (323) 343-3314.
1- American College Health Association. American College Health Association- National College Health Assessment II: California State University Los Angeles Executive Summary Fall 2012. Hanover, MD: American College Health Associa¬tion; 2012.
2 - Jones, Steve. “The Internet Goes to College: How students are living in the future.” Pew Internet & American Life Project. N.p., 15 Sept. 2002. Web. 11 Mar. 2013.
3 - Kuss, Daria J., and Mark D. Griffiths. “Online Social Networking and Addic¬tion—A Review of the Psychological Lit¬erature.” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. N.p., 29 Aug. 2009. Web. 11 Mar. 2013.
4 - La Barbara, Daniele, Filippo La Paglia, and Rosaria Valsovoia. “Social Network and Addiction.” Annual Review of Cyber¬therapy and Telemedicine 2009. Amster¬dam: IOS Press 6B, 2009. 33-36. Web. 11 Mar. 2013.
5- Wingfield, N. (n.d.). How to quit facebook. Retrieved from http://www.wikihow.com/Quit-Facebook . Mar. 2013.
DENTAL CLINIC
Tuesdays 9 AM – 1 PM (Except Summer)
Wednesdays & Thursdays 1 PM - 5 PM
All eligible students are seen at the Student Health Center (SHC) Dental Clinic located on the 2nd floor of the Student Health Center at Station #4. Patients are seen by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call (323) 343-3314 or see the receptionist at Station #4.
EXAMINATION AND CLEANING - $60.00
§ Bitewing x-rays.
§ An oral examination by the Dentist.
§ Teeth cleaning performed by the Dentist.
§ Demonstration of the proper techniques for brushing and flossing of the teeth.
§ A written evaluation of the status of the teeth and a recommendation for any further treatment, if needed.
TREATMENT/FILLINGS:
§ Must have consultation or examination here before receiving treatment.
§ Limited treatment of cavities as directed by the SHC Dentist.
§ Fees per filling:
Palliative (Temporary) - $40.00
Amalgam - $60.00
Composite - $80.00
CONSULTATION BY THE DENTIST - $30.00
FOLLOW-UP VISIT(S) BY THE DENTIST - $10.00 PER VISIT
PLEASE CALL (323) 343-3314 FOR AN APPOINTMENT.
PRICES AND HOURS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
2013 Wellness Wednesday Series
Check Out Our Website
We Care About Your Health! 323.343.3300
www.calstatela.edu/univ/hlth_ctr/index.php for information on Student Health Center services, community resources, and other activities, including CAPS workshops and the Campus Walk.
OPTOMETRY
Visio
Eyeglasses
Services Offered:
Frames:
Lenses:
NOTE:
CLINIC
Allow your Body to Function at its Fullest Potential through
the Natural Art of Chiropractic Care.
Chiropractic Adjustments:
The clinic is offered to all eligible Cal State LA students for a fee of $10.00 for the first treatment and then $5.00 per subsequent treatment. Care is provided by a faculty member and chiropractic interns from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. If needed, x-rays are done at no additional cost.
Clinic Hours:
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
HOURS AND PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Please call 323-343-3302 for an appointment.
MASSAGE THERAPY
Massage Therapist Vanessa Vargas received her training in Asian Bodywork modalities from the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, California where she learned modalities such as Acupressure, Zen Shiatsu and Jin Shin Jyutsu, etc.
Services Offered:
Chair and table work are offered to help aid in relaxation from stress as well as to aid the body and mind’s natural healing capabilities.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A MASSAGE:The client will have a choice between 30 minutes and an hour session where he/she will be fully clothed and the full body will be addressed (back and front) with lotion used on the extremities.
| FEES | Currently Enrolled Students | Faculty/Staff |
| One Hour | $25 | $35 |
| Half Hour | $15 | $25 |
Please call (323) 343-3302 for an appointment.
FEES AND HOURS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
OPTOMETRY CLINIC
Vision Testing
Eyeglasses/Contact Lenses
Offered:
examination
and sunglasses are from which to choose available to students.
Bifocals and Progressives available. Standard, Disposable Soft Contact Lenses and Colored Contact Lenses
eyes is included in the examination. As a result, eyes will be sensitive to vision will be blurred for 2-4 hours afterwards affecting reading. However,
reverse side for fees and how to make an appointment.
Get Your Flu Shot!
At the Student Health Center
PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT
(323) 343-3302 or 3303
BEGINNING 9/3/13 UNTIL SUPPLIES LAST!
$5.00 for currently enrolled CSULA students
$20.00 for CSULA employees.
Only cash or checks accepted.
Please bring exact change.
Please bring your Student/Employee ID.
This is the newest and up-to-date flu vaccine formulation called a
Quadrivalent flu vaccine. It has been designed to broaden the coverage
against influenza by including 2 A strains and 2 B strains, including the type
that caused over 50% of the reported flu cases last year.
For additional information, please go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/flu.pdf
Get Ready for Flu Season
>BY ROXANNE M. POON, RN, BS, CPHQ
You are sitting in class and suddenly begin to feel feverish and have the chills. You may also experience a cough, sore throat, and headache. Maybe you have a runny or stuffy nose as well as body or muscle aches and fatigue. You may or may not have vomiting or diarrhea. With or without a fever, these may all be symptoms of the flu.
The flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It is spread mainly by airborne droplets released by people sick with the flu who cough or sneeze without following appropriate respiratory hygiene practices. If you inhale these droplets, you may become infected with the viruses. The viruses can also survive on surfaces for 2 to 8 hours, so if you touch these items and then touch your mouth, eyes, or nose, you can get the flu.
How to Avoid Catching the Flu
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting vaccinated for the flu every year. But according to a recent Student Health 101 survey, 58.7% of respondents said they would not get the flu vaccine this year.
Seasonal flu vaccination usually begins in September and continues throughout the flu season. There are two ways to get vaccinated:
