Most of us think of our college years as some of our most physically vital. After all, many of us are young when we attend, as well as active in sports and fitness. However, if you are unlucky enough to sustain an injury during college, it can have a profound effect not only on your physical and mental well being but on your studies as well. For that reason we have put together the guide below that can help you survive a serious injury during your college years. Read on to find out more.

Notify all your teachers

One of the first things that you will want to do once the emergency itself has passed is to get in contact with your teachers and let them know what has happened. Luckily this isn't too difficult to do as most have direct emails now.

If possible, can give them so idea of how long you will be away and whether you will need to drop their class and pick it up next semester too. Although, you may be able to catch up with the work while you are recuperating, or even access an online study program that will make sure you don't get too behind.

It's also a great idea to CC in your department heads when letting people know of your predicament. Then they can record this as official absence and then there will be no confusion when it comes to matters of attendance on your record that could interfere with your graduation.

Speak to finance

Of course, if you do have to drop classes, then it's worth discussing this with the finance office, because you may be entitled to a refund for a discount off of next semester. There may even be financial aid available for students in your position as well as help with your housing costs, so it's always worth asking these questions.

Keep up your medical care.

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Next, although your injury may be preventing you from attending classes, it is vital that you go to your medical appointment and complete the treatment assigned to you by your doctor.

Of course, the cost of this may be concerning to you as a student, and this is why many people choose to check with a personal injury lawyer to see if they have a case for compensation. Something that can alleviate the financial burden on students that have suffered an injury and allow them to keep focused on getting well.

Don't let your social life fade.

OK, so if you are in a full body cast, then you probably don't want to be going to too many parties. However, there's a lot to be said for having a strong support network of friends, especially when you are living away from home and your usual friends and family group.

Your institution may even have a mentor program, or offer social and other support through religious groups on campus, so be sure to explore these possibilities and to help to stay emotionally and socially healthy as well.

Our parents showed so much concern for our brains when we were kids. Too bad that concern was put in all the wrong places. From a young age we were told not to watch too much TV because it would rot our brains. Or not to play videogames as they would transform us into mindless zombies. Or not to read comics because they weren’t “real” books and that they would herald the slow but inevitable decline into cognitive deterioration. While these have all been proven to be beneficial (or at the very least not harmful) to our brains, the other more wholesome activities they may have suggested were fraught with danger. There’s far more danger of brain injury or head trauma on the football field or the baseball pitch or even in the park than in any comic or video game, however violent they may be.

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Nonetheless, the simple truth is that a head trauma can result in a traumatic brain injury that has long lasting or even permanent effects. Your cognitive function could be impaired, you could lose your job or your career and even completely lose everything that makes you so special and unique and… you. But life’s for living and the risk of head trauma is by no means a good enough reason to shut yourself out from the world. When that occasional bump on the noggin does occur, however, knowing what to do can go a long way in mitigating its effects…

Get someone you trust on site

Brain injuries can be exacerbated when ignored or left unattended and there are are manifestations of brain injury that someone else may be aware of while you are not. Therefore it’s important to get someone you trust on site. If possible get them to take you home and spend some time with you while you convalesce. Don’t allow yourself to be left alone unless you are absolutely sure that you’re okay. Ideally, you should try and stay awake for as long as you can and avoid going to sleep alone if you can.

Look for signs of brain injury

There are certain signs that might indicate brain injury. If any of these manifest, you need to get to A and E straight away. These include:

Loss of balance
Weaving or wobbling when walking
Hearing loss in one or both ears
Bleeding from ears
Clear liquid running from nose or ears
Nausea and / or vomiting

Give it 48 hours

Ideally you should be under observation, either by a medical professional or someone else you trust for the next 48 hours. In that time you should stay out of work especially if you work in a hazardous environment. Avoid stress and physical exertion and certainly don’t even think about getting behind the wheel. If you experience headaches, take an anti inflammatory like Ibuprofen or paracetamol for pain. Do not take aspirin as this can thin the blood and exacerbate internal bleeding.

Very often a little caution and vigilance can mean the difference between a nasty bump on the head and a permanently debilitating injury.

Surviving A Serious Injury During Your College Years

Make Sure That Bump On The Head Doesn't Cost You Your Career