To submit a question either use the link on the left, drop by the question box at 150 University Centre, or write on one of our Question Posters around campus. Answers to questions for the year will be posted in this section of the website.
Current Questions | Health Questions Archive 1 | Health Questions Archive 2Questions
1. I have this crazy fear of exams. It is so numbing. How can I cope?
8. I don't respect my professor, what can I do?
Answers
1. I have this crazy fear of exams. It is so numbing. How can I cope?
A lot of people experience anxiety when they think about an upcoming test. The important thing to be aware of is the degree of anxiety you may be feeling. Since not all stress is bad stress, the key is to manage your stress or anxiety instead of eliminating it altogether.
The way we think influences how we feel, which affects the way we behave. By thinking negative thoughts, we set ourselves up to feel that we cannot accomplish the task at hand, leading us to behave in a way that may not be helpful in accomplishing the task.
For example, having thoughts like "I don't have enough time", or "There is no way I will be ready for this", or "I must not be smart enough", will lead to feelings of despair, depression, fear, embarrassment, hopelessness, and confusion, just to name a few. Someone who is feeling this way may, for example, stop studying to avoid wasting time since they "know" they are going to fail anyway.
So, what are we getting at here? Turning negative thoughts and actions into positive, coping ones can set you up to succeed! This may involve a bit of self-awareness and mental restructuring, so if you find yourself thinking in a negative and reactive way, turn your thoughts into positive, proactive ones.
For example:
- What is it I have to do? What will help me get as prepared as well as I can?
- It's true, I don't have a lot of time. How can I use the time I have effectively?
- If I can't study all of the material, I can prioritize the most important parts.
- Which questions come up every time? I'll start with those.
- If I get stuck, I'll talk with the instructor/good students.
- I'm not going to compete with others. I'm just trying to do my best, or show some improvement.
- Others are uptight too. I can control it and make it work for me.
- My feelings are in my control.
These statements, or ones that you come up with to fit your situation, can be very empowering.
Some students feel test/exam anxiety because they are feeling unprepared. But, this may not always be the case. Another strategy for coping with anxiety and stress is to learn relaxation and imagery techniques. These can be practiced daily, or could be a tool that you use in the 5 minutes before you start writing the exam. Some examples include meditation and guided imagery, stretching and deep breathing exercises, or journal writing.
And finally, having a general feeling of well-being can enhance your coping strategies and your mental preparedness. This includes eating lots of fruits and veggies and drinking enough of water, getting a full nights sleep (especially the night before the exam), and exercising regularly to keep your body and mind in top performance.
If none of this seems to help, sometimes talking about your stresses is a good thing. Peers: Students Helping Students is an on-campus resource that offers empathetic listeners in a respectful and confidential environment. Come check us out @ 150 University Centre.
Other links:
Links:
Learning Assistance Centre - Test and Exam Preparation:
https://www.umanitoba.ca
Presentation by the Student Counselling and Career Centre:
http://www.umanitoba.ca
U1 - Dealing with Exam Anxiety
-this site also has links to other universities and their tips for dealing with exam anxiety
http://www.umanitoba.ca
2. I am a gay minority man who doesnt like other effiminate gay men but would like to date a caucasian straight man. Does that make me a transgendered person? At RPM, i feel there is not much inclusion for minorities coupled with the fact that i like butch men makes me feel very strange and lonely. Do you guys offer relationship/dating/living advice?
The term 'transgender' is generally used as a catch-all umbrella term for a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups centered around the full or partial reversal of gender roles as well as physical sexual reassignment therapies (which can be just hormonal or involve various degrees of surgical alteration). A common definition is "People who feel that the gender they were assigned (usually at birth) is a false or incomplete description of themselves." Included in this definition are a number of well known sub-categories such as transsexual , transvestite and sometimes genderqueers .
If you feel that you may be transgendered, you might like to check out the 'Rainbow Resource Centre', Winnipeg's transgender support group at http://www.transgendercafe.com/ (info line: 284-5208). You could also seek more information from RPM, but if you don't feel comfortable talking to them, another resource would be the Ally program (website: http://umanitoba.ca/equity/allies/ ). The Peers office, located at 105 University Centre, has many pamphlets and other resources, so please feel free to drop by whenever you like. While we do not offer advice per se, you are always welcome to drop by the Peers office to talk about anything, including relationships, dating and living.
3. I think I have borderline personality disorder. Out of the 9 criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders I experience 7 (including recurring suicidal thoughts). I have difficulties getting to sleep and I wake up with headache. Should I visit psychologist and is it covered by the health insurance?
It sounds like your sleep patterns and frequent headaches are causing you concern. If you wish to consult someone about your concerns, the Student Career and Counselling Centre at 474 University Centre (phone:474-8592) might be a good place to start. Several qualified counsellors are available on a drop-in basis and would be able to provide you with further information about whether you have borderline personality disorder and if you should consult a psychologist. Another place you might like to look into would be the U of M's Psychological Service Centre ( website: http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/psychology/psc/genpub.php , phone: 474-9222).
4. My girlfriend and I had been making out a lot, but during the last couple weeks we began to go further. Last night we were both wearing underwear but I know I got inside of her, I want to know if there's a chance she might be pregant. I didn't cum but I was still a little bit wet. She's thinking about taking pill's or using patches, I'm not sure... I'm worried about the side effects, could you please give me some advice?
There is a chance that your pre-ejaculate may have some semen in it, which means that your girlfriend may be pregnant. However, she may want take a pregnancy test to be sure. The Womyn's Centre (195 Helen Glass) has free pregnancy tests as well as many other useful resources. The best way to find out more about pills, patches and other contraceptives is from a family physician, who would be able to answer any questions you and your girlfriend may have about potential side effects. If your girlfriend feels uncomfortable talking to her family physician, she can always see a doctor at the University Health Service (104 University Centre, phone: 474-8411), provided she's registered as a student at the U of M.
5. Hi, I am an international student who is planning to take nutrition major in UofM. So far I am doing well in my coursework, however I have a deep concern that going to be a dietitian I need an excellent communication skill throughout my career. English is not my first language and I just started to communicate with people using English not long ago. I can understand what people say most of the time, but when it comes to my turn to speak, I just can't speak fluently. Sometimes I will feel shame when people can't understand my speech and being asked to repeat it once again. I am really interested in being a dietitian and very worry if I can do it. Is there anything I can do to overcome it? Thanks for your assistance.
First of all, be confident and don't be afraid of not able to achieve it.
You are doing well in your coursework now, so it shows that you have the ability!! Language is not a easy thing to master within a short period of time, however, as time goes by, as long as you always find chances to speak up more and more, it will get better within a few years. Most people here will not laugh at you or think anything of you just because you sometimes can't say things perfectly. They understand it is a new language for you, and probably sometimes they are amazed by how well you can speak in English.
Being a dietitian does require a lot of communication, but almost all kinds of careers require communication as well. If you really would like to be a dietitian, then just try your best to do it, do not let your fears stop you. In addition, the program will provide you a lot of opportunities to improve your communication skills, so if you are concerned, then just take those opportunities to practice more.
Communication skill is not the problem that only international student are concerned, instead, Canadians sometimes are worried about it too. Therefore, be confident and do whatever you dream of!
An on campus resource that may help you develop your language skills would be the English Language Center at 520 University Centre.
www.umanitoba.ca/student/resource/English
Or the International Centre for Students (541 University Centre) may also be able to provide some resources.
6. My period was two weeks late and I bought a pregnancy test but it said negative. The test I bought was only 99% accurate. I have also noticed a lot of symptoms of pregnancy. I am sort of worried because my boyfriend and I haven't used protection in like a month or so and was wondering, do you think I should get another test in case it was a false negative?
It is possible for home pregnancy tests to show a false negative, which may be influenced by many different factors including stress or taking the test too early. The most accurate way to determine if you are pregnant would be to have a blood test done by your doctor or at a health clinic. If you want to re-take a home pregnancy test before visiting your doctor, free testing kits are available at the Womyn's Centre on the U of M campus (190 Helen Glass Bldg, 474-6897).
An emergency option for a woman who has had unprotected sex for various reasons is the "morning after pill" or ECP (emergency contraception pill). This is actually a series of contraceptive pills that will prevent the possibility of a fertilized egg from implantation and therefore of pregnancy. This option is most effective within 3 days of having unprotected sex. Commonly, these pills cause nausea and vomiting and they should not be used on a regular basis or as a planned contraceptive method. ECP is available from most pharmacists or health care providers without a doctor's prescription.
If you do find that you are pregnant and that you would like to parent the child, there are many resources available to you. The Health Canada website has helpful parenting information along with nutrition information for pregnant women. On the other hand though if you find that you are pregnant but have decided that you do not want to parent the child, adoption or abortion are two options available. A link available on the Health Canada website is http://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/ where you can find information for making decisions about a pregnancy. The Canadian Women's Health Network (http://www.cwhn.ca/) can also be used to find out more information about women's health.
The choice not to use condoms can be a very important one for a couple in a sexual relationship and there are many questions to ask yourself. Have you both been tested for sexually transmitted diseases? What other forms of contraception will you use if you want to avoid becoming pregnant? What have you decided to do if you were to become pregnant? How do you feel about this relationship?
If you need someone to talk to about the situation, the Peers: Students Helping Students office is a confidential space available to you. Also, personal counsellors are available to speak with at the Student Counselling Centre (474 University Centre) by appointment or drop-in.
There are various ways for you to meet people on campus, depending on your personal comfort zone. These can include starting a conversation with the student next to you in class or possibly finding a job on campus. Great ways to meet people with similar personalities would be to join a student group or volunteer with an organization at the U of M. There is a listing of student groups in the front of the UMSU daytimer or at http://www.umsu.ca/. Another option could be for you to get involved with your faculty, including being part of your Faculty Council or volunteering for events. The Virtual Learning Commons found on the U of M homepage also has a section where people were able to meet one another last year.
8. I don't respect my professor, what can I do?
Since it has not been specified, there could be many factors that influencing the way you feel about your professor. If you do respect them because they have acted in ways that seem unfair or unethical, Student Advocacy may be able to help. They provide a confidential service where students can take complaints and grievances and where students can learn about their rights and responsibilities. They assist students in resolving problems or concerns as a result of academic and/or discipline decisions. Student Advocacy is located at 519 University Centre and more information can be obtained by calling their office at 474-7423 or can be found by following the link to their website from the U of M homepage.
If your lack of respect is based on personal reasons, it may be helpful to consider what it is you do not respect about your professor. If you are able to identify a trait or some other characteristic about your professor that is at the base of your feelings, you may be able to find a solution or a coping strategy to help at least get you through the remainder of the term. A Peer or a counsellor at the Student Counselling Centre may also be able to help you find ways to cope with the situation.