A Semester in Student Health Services

Week 8: 3/4/19-3/8/19

Monday, 3/4:

So, today was mostly about working at the caffeine Health Hub in the Life Science Complex. It’s midterm week, so students are really into coffee and energy drinks right now. But, honestly, it didn't go as well as I hoped. The building is usually super busy, but only like 5 or 6 students stopped by. That was pretty frustrating. We also had a lot of flu-kits to give out, but students didn’t really want them, so we just left them around for others to pick up later. We talked about this in our weekly meeting, and our supervisors suggested we try a different spot next time, maybe outside on the quad. Also, we got more tasks to do this week.

Tuesday, 3/5:

Spent most of today working on the Seasonal Affective Disorder bulletin board. It took forever because I had to print everything on colorful paper, cut it out, and then stick it all together before putting it up. Since SAD is a big deal on campus, my supervisors let me put it up on the main white board in the waiting room. I had to move the old flu bulletin board, which had been there for months. Overall, it was a long task.

Wednesday, 3/6:

Today was all about getting ready for the health hub I’m running tomorrow. I found some items like play-doh, coloring sheets, and journals that help students manage depressive symptoms. Used my project funding to buy these, and today I put them into kits. Also had my mid-semester evaluation with Jessica, one of my supervisors. We talked about my capstone, what I've done so far, what I still need to do, and how to get it done. Made a list of tasks I’ve completed for her and my professors to see.

Thursday, 3/7:

Started the day by meeting Teagan Peacock, who runs BeYouSU social media. We discussed content ideas and upcoming events. Since we’re students, we know what other students might like. Then, I had my SAD health hub in the afternoon. It went well, and students were interested in what I had to say. More students answered my questions correctly than I expected. They liked the giveaways, which were useful. Although it was close to spring break and students were busy with exams, about 40-43 people participated, so it was a success.

Friday, 3/8:

I didn't come in today because I left early in the morning to go home for spring break.

Week 9: 3/18-3/22

Monday, 3/18:

First day back after spring break. Spent most of the day getting organized and working on my capstone project. Started my presentation for next week’s staff meeting. Since I've done a lot of research and awareness stuff already, my supervisors thought it'd be better to present in April. It would be too rushed if all three of us interns presented in May. My PowerPoint has basic info on my study and results. Ended the day with our weekly meeting with supervisors from 3-4:30.

Tuesday, 3/19:

Started on tasks assigned at yesterday's meeting. One big task was editing the caffeine brochure for an event. The last event didn't go well, so we're trying again later. Supervisors gave some suggestions, so I made those changes and did more research. Also packed more flu-kits because I missed the nighttime packing party. Finished the day by refilling condoms at the Women’s Building and flu-kits at an academic building.

Wednesday, 3/20:

Had my third seminar for this class today. Then spent the rest of the day starting my final capstone project. Did my usual tasks like refilling condoms and flu-kits at HS. Also reorganized the condom supply, making sure backup supplies were in the right spot. Updated the excel sheet for supervisors to see how much we have of each item.

Thursday, 3/21:

Helped Carina with her Health Hub on antibiotic awareness. It was successful, and we handed out all the giveaways quicker than expected. Spent the rest of the day working on slides for the April PowerPoint. Split up topics with the other interns and started on mine. April’s slides are similar to March’s, so we’re reusing some slides to save time.

Friday, 3/22:

Spent the day finishing my slides for April’s PowerPoint and working on my capstone. I prefer starting big projects early since I don’t do well under pressure. Will reach out to Megan soon to discuss the conceptual framework for my paper. Did my regular condom/flu-kit refilling jobs, making sure the waiting room was stocked for the weekend.

Week 10: 3/25-3/29

Monday, 3/25:

Finished tasks from last week to prepare for this week’s meeting. Completed April PowerPoint slides for the meeting. Did my usual condom/flu-kit refilling jobs. Had our weekly staff meeting at 3 pm and got new tasks for the week.

Tuesday, 3/26:

Started the day by making edits to my caffeine brochure. Even though the event is weeks away, we wanted the brochure ready. Also made edits to April slides. Refilled condom bins at some locations on campus.

Wednesday, 3/27:

Met with Megan to discuss my capstone project. Wanted to start it soon to avoid end-of-semester stress. Worked on my paper and helped Anthony with his food safety brochure. Finished the day with my condom/flu-kit refilling tasks. Also prepped giveaways for the HPV health hub that got canceled. The giveaways included condoms and lubricant in a carry case. We’ll use them whenever we reschedule.

Thursday, 3/28:

Spent the day packaging more flu kits and working on my capstone. Even though we stopped handing out flu-kits, supervisors want us to prep the remaining kits for fall. Since I can’t attend packing parties, I try to do my part during the week. Continued working on my capstone, doing research and organizing it. Refilled condom bins at a few campus spots.

Friday, 3/29:

Made more flu kits and worked on my capstone. It was a slow week, so it was a good time for these tasks. Attended a Barnes Center student committee meeting to offer ideas for the fall merge. As a student, I had insights on how to get students interested in the Barnes Center. Finished the day by wrapping up my tasks.

Week 11: 4/1-4/5

Monday, 4/1:

Started at 8:30 with a presentation on an HIV prevention drug. Learned about prevention rates, symptoms, and payment options for students. Had an early meeting with supervisors to discuss upcoming events and tasks for the week.

Tuesday, 4/2:

Had our HPV awareness health hub at Whitman. Not many students were interested in talking about sexual health. Even though we had giveaways like condom cases, students were hesitant to take them. Worked on my capstone paper and delivered condoms to campus locations.

Wednesday, 4/3:

Started with our monthly staff meeting. Gave a presentation on my capstone project. Got positive feedback from health care providers. Spent the rest of the day organizing the office and making kits. Started on 1500 condom kits for Mayfest, as suggested by our supervisor.

Thursday, 4/4:

Spent most of the day at the Sexual Violence Awareness Fair. Not many students came to our table, probably because of the sensitive topic. Besides that, I prepped for the weekend and made sure everything was in order before going home.

Friday, 4/5:

I didn’t come in today as I went home for the weekend.

Week 12: 4/8-4/12

Monday, 4/8:

Finished tasks from last week. Had our weekly meeting with supervisors from 3-4:30 to discuss upcoming events. Worked on my capstone project.

Tuesday, 4/9:

Had a successful health hub on food safety with Anthony. Spent the rest of the day working on my capstone and making more flu-kits and Mayfest condom kits.

Wednesday, 4/10:

Finished my capstone paper, just need to revise it. It was a relief. Continued making flu-kits and condom kits. Prepped for GYT events happening the next two days.

Thursday, 4/11:

First day of GYT. Hit our cap of 75 students by the end of the day. Students came in clusters, probably because of class schedules. Expecting more students on Friday since many don’t have classes.

Friday, 4/12:

Second and final day of GYT. Hit our cap of 75 students by 3 pm. Allowed an extra 11 students but still had to turn some away. Event ran smoothly, and students seemed pleased. Future events should consider increasing the limit to help more students.

Week 13: 4/15-4/19

Monday, 4/15:

Spent the day catching up after GYT events. Had our weekly meeting with supervisors from 3-4 pm to discuss last week’s events and upcoming tasks. Semester is winding down, so not much to do. Just a couple more health hubs and a mini packing party, plus making flu-kits and Mayfest condom kits.

Tuesday, 4/16:

Held a mini packing party with Anthony for two hours and made a couple hundred flu-kits. Supervisors want as many flu-kits made as possible before the move to the Barnes Center. Worked on my capstone paper edits and refilled the women’s building safer sex supply.

Wednesday, 4/17:

Spent the day making flu-kits and condom kits. Decided to count how much supply we had left. Organized the supply closet and started writing my internship reflection paper.

Thursday, 4/18:

Had Clarissa’s health hub on diet culture in the US. Good turnout, better timing. Spent the rest of the day working on my capstone paper.

Friday, 4/19:

Wrapped up the week by completing my timesheet and reflection journals. Made more flu-kits and condom kits. Finished my internship reflection paper. Attended another Barnes Center Committee meeting to discuss promotion strategies. Shared student insights with the committee.

Week 14: 4/22-4/26

Monday, 4/22:

Continued making flu-kits and calculated remaining supplies. Organized the supply closet based on how much was left. Had our weekly staff meeting and discussed plans for the final week.

In conclusion, the past several weeks have been packed with events, tasks, and milestones in my internship. From organizing health hubs on various topics to working on my capstone project and helping with different initiatives, each week had its own challenges and achievements. As the semester ends, I find myself reflecting on the valuable experiences, relationships, and skills I’ve gained. Looking ahead to the final week, I’m ready to wrap up loose ends, contribute to ongoing projects, and participate in final meetings. This internship has been a big part of my academic and professional growth, and I’m grateful for the chance to be a part of it.