Media Room

Whether it’s your first time on campus or you’re a seasoned college student, the start of a new school semester can be exciting, stressful and a little scary all at the same time.

Between finding classes on campus and fitting in with new friends, you may be feeling anxious about the upcoming semester. Keep in mind, new-school-year nerves are normal and there are resources to help you — including your Wellstar primary care physician as well as on-campus counselors.

“Anxiety often goes unrecognized and undiagnosed,” said Wellstar pediatrician Dr. Andrew Doyle. “It’s not always recognized or talked about because people think it’s a normal part of life. But when anxiety interferes with completing homework, socializing or working at your job, it’s not necessarily normal. It’s helpful to have someone check it out.”

Signs of anxiety can also include difficulty sleeping, abdominal pain, headaches, significant changes in appetite or an explosive temper.

“There are effective treatments that make a difference for students including lifestyle changes, medication and therapy,” Dr. Doyle said.

Getting enough sleep, exercise and healthy food are highly important, and Dr. Doyle also recommends planning downtime from social media and life responsibilities.

“Therapy and role-playing can help you recognize your stressors and think through how to handle them ahead of time so you can face those situations,” he said. “For example, on exam day, start with positive self-talk. You can say, ‘I’m feeling nervous. I have a headache and an upset stomach. I know that’s because I’m anxious. I’ve taken many tests before and I can do this so I don’t need to worry about it.’ Breathing exercises before the test can help you stay calm. You can also plan ahead of the test to do something enjoyable afterward and to focus on that instead of the stressor.”

To help you start the semester off feeling mentally strong and physically healthy, here are some wellness tips to get you off to your best school year yet.

Study guide to stay healthy

From medical appointments to personal safety, follow our tips to prepare for college and prioritize your health.

• Take control of your health. Book your annual physical with your primary care physician at the start of the semester.
• Make mental health a priority. Get sufficient sleep, exercise and nutrition. Bring up any questions or concerns about stress, anxiety and depression with your primary care provider.
• Recognize anxiety and manage it. When you recognize a situation that triggers anxiety, start positive self-talk and deep breathing. 
• Schedule in self-care. College can be intense. Make time for yourself to do things you enjoy for your mental and physical well-being.
• Stay organized. Use a planner or calendar to schedule classes, exams and study time to keep yourself on track.
• Set roommate rules. If you’re living with roommates, create clear rules for your space like noise levels, chores and when other friends are allowed over.
• Know your surroundings. Get familiar with the campus layout and where the security station or emergency phones are located.
• Use the buddy system. Stay alert on campus and walk with a friend when possible, especially at night.
• Protect yourself at parties. Never leave drinks unattended, whether you’re hanging out at a bar, party or other gathering with friends.

Get ready for campus life

Heading to college can be a big transition, and you may feel anxiety about the upcoming changes, especially during a pandemic. But don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need help getting ready or adjusting.

Talking to your Wellstar is a great place to start, whether your concerns are about physical, emotional or mental health. Our health partners are here to support you and can connect you with specialists to keep you feeling well.

Book your annual physical today and be sure to bring up any questions or concerns you have with your doctor.

Wellstar Douglas Hospital recently attained advanced certification as a Primary Heart Attack Center (PHAC) by The Joint Commission and The American Heart Association. This means the hospital offers patients the next generation of cardiac care.

“Our cardiac experts in Douglas County are dedicated to doing what is best for the patient,” said Dr. Joshua M. Willis, Medical Director of Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Wellstar Douglas Hospital. “The Joint Commission certification shows that our cardiac program is designed to help people having heart attacks receive the fastest, most evidence-based care.” 

Wellstar Douglas Hospital has 24-hour-a-day coverage to treat heart attacks. The hospital’s team communicates with first responders, so patients can get diagnosed and treated as fast as possible upon arrival at the hospital by ambulance. 

“Everything we do is centered around giving each person the best chance for positive outcomes,” Dr. Willis said.

The hospital’s team aims to get patients diagnosed fast by performing cardiac tests within 10 minutes of arrival at the hospital. For patients who need surgical intervention, Wellstar Douglas Hospital’s interventional cardiologists perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) — a minimally-invasive procedure that restores blood flow to the heart — within a 90-minute-window. 

According to Gene Morris, Director of Cardiac and Vascular Services, the cardiac team has performed 2,500 PCIs since the program launched in 2012.

Wellstar Douglas Hospital is also designated as an Emergency Cardiac Care Center (ECCC) Level II by the Georgia Department of Public Health. 

To learn more about Wellstar Douglas Hospital, please visit the hospital webpage.  

Wellstar Health System, one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems, has hired Susan Grant as executive vice president and chief experience officer. Grant will begin her role on July 1 and will be focused on creating holistic, curated experiences that power the continued development and growth of Wellstar’s system of care. She will work closely with Dr. Hank Capps, Wellstar’s Chief Information and Digital Officer, as well as operations leaders across the system to advance digital experience and integration to enhance care model innovation.

"Wellstar Health System has made significant drives to remain on the cutting edge of medical service through our care and dedication to patient experience. Initiatives and programs that define our care often involve addressing the unique needs of each patient and community to be both as effective and compassionate as possible," said Candice L. Saunders, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. "The more advances we make in the field of medical technology, the more effort we must give to unify these innovations into a holistic experience that benefits not only our patients, but our doctors, nurses, and practitioners as well. Grant’s highly knowledgeable background will help us define and develop that experience across our system."

Grant has operated in healthcare for over 30 years. Her wealth of experience in various roles such as Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Beaumont Health in Detroit, Michigan, has led to incredible achievements, including leading the nursing practice of over 10,000 nurses across all care settings and overseeing successful Magnet redesignation of two hospitals. In addition, she helped secure the initial designation of four of eight hospitals in the system at that time. 

Grant received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Vanderbilt University, a Masters in Psychiatric/Community Mental Health Nursing from the University of South Carolina and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia. She is currently the chair-elect of the Building Health Systems Excellence expert panel with the American Academy of Nursing, is a member of the Nurse Executive Council for The Beryl Institute and serves on the Board of Directors for the Daisy Foundation Board.

Existing Wellstar Health System programs such as Catalyst by Wellstar, the Wellstar Clinical Partners Program, and the Hospital Quality & Efficiency Program are key components of Wellstar’s dedication to Patient Experience. By increasing the systems, programs, and access to critical care needs, world class technology and care, and highly skilled staff and care practitioners, Wellstar continues to grow its ability to provide both meaningful care outcomes as well as world class care that matters – PeopleCare. 

These programs and partnerships have revolutionized the way our patients and our staff engage with medical treatment, from enhanced training techniques, to employee wellness centers dedicated to mental health, to additional family support for hard-working professionals within the system.