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	Ask the doc Dr. Pierre-Paul Tellier is Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Director of Student Health Services at McGill University in Quebec.

“Google always gives me an extreme diagnosis of symptoms I’m having. How can I research the severity of my issue online without going straight to the doctor? ”
—Jessie B., University of Windsor, Ontario

One of the questions I ask when people come in with a medical concern is: “What did you read online about this?” Once I have figured out what is actually going on, I will then spend time telling them why it is not what they thought it was based on their search.       

It’s important for you to understand what happens when you do an online search versus going to a doctor.           

What happens when Google replaces your doctor?
Usually when you search for something that’s bothering you, it is very vague and non-specific, such as fatigue. Therefore, the list of possible diagnoses is long and can be concerning. This can make people paranoid.

What happens at the doctor?
In the office, a physician will usually gather a history, asking questions such as:

• What other symptoms do you have?
• How did each start?
• Are they occurring every day?
• What is the duration: a whole day, a half hour, minutes?
• What makes it better or worse? 

They think about your history and symptoms, and the list is narrowed, but is usually still long. From there, doctors can do the physical examination, perform diagnostic tests, and arrive at a diagnosis. You can do this with a search engine, but it is more difficult, especially if you don’t know the exact data to enter. This is where your doctor is helpful.

What if I don’t get an appointment right away?

This is important: When you are looking things up yourself, you need to know that your source of information is reliable. Not all websites are evidence-based and trustworthy. There’s a reason why your professor does not accept Wikipedia as a reference for a research paper. 

Reliable sites include:

The Ministry of Health in your province or territory

Some organizations dedicated to specific health topics (e.g., Canadian Breast Cancer Society)

+  College of Family Physicians of Canada

+  Health Canada

Trustworthy websites also keep up with the most recent medical information, so they should state when they were last updated. This date should be fairly recent. These websites should include references from respected medical journals or other reliable online sources.

Essentially, if you have a fever, live in Canada, and have not travelled to Africa, it is unlikely that you have Ebola (even if Google says you do). You probably have a cold, but if you are still convinced it may be Ebola, ask your doctor.    

	Ask the professor Amy Baldwin, MA, is the director of University College at the University of Central Arkansas.

“If a professor is being unfair to you when it comes to passing or failing their class, who do you talk to about it?”
—Alejandra C., Purdue University, Calumet, Indiana

From my experience as a student (yes, I am still in graduate school) and professor, I can say that I have rarely seen a professor be unfair about grades. But it can and does happen.

As a department chair who has handled student complaints about grades, I found that the issue was often a miscommunication about expectations. Faculty often thought they were being very clear about how they would grade and how grades would be calculated, and students often thought they understood how they were being graded. However, when there was a conflict, it was because one side was out of sync with the other.

With that said, I recommend speaking with the professor first to see if there’s been a miscommunication.

You might ask:

• “I am not sure I understand how I earned this grade. Do you mind going over the graded work with me?”
• “I have calculated my grade based on the information you have given us, but it doesn’t seem to match what you have recorded. Can I talk with you about the discrepancy?”

Approaching the situation as an opportunity to get clarity will make for a smoother conversation.

If you still feel as though the professor is being unfair, these tips can lead you to a positive resolution:

• Show good faith first: As I mentioned before, speak with the professor first and get as much information as possible before taking the next step.
• Follow the chain of command: Find out how your institution prefers you to resolve conflicts such as grade disputes. You may be required to meet with a department chair or dean after you first meet with the professor.
• Document, document, document: I have students who come see me to complain about a grade and they do not bring with them the assignment or the syllabus. It is hard to help them when I don’t have anything in front of me to review. You should be able to demonstrate why you think you have been graded unfairly.

What else do I mean by “document”?
You’ll want to document conversations you have had with the professor (when, where, what was said) and emails that you have sent. Bring all copies of assignments, graded work, grading rubrics, and feedback from the professor.

• Be prepared for action: When I say this, I don’t mean to get ready for a fight, but I do mean that if you feel the grade is unfair, you should be prepared to make an actionable request. For example, do you want to make a formal complaint against the professor? If you are taking the concern to a higher level, then consider the possibility that you will need to provide in writing the issue and the request for resolution. Don’t go into a department chair’s office just to vent that you didn’t pass Algebra.

Remember that learning to handle sticky situations like this with grace and fortitude will help you develop many important skills you can use later on.

	Ask the nutritionist Karen Moses is the director of wellness and health promotion at Arizona State University in Phoenix.

“Is coconut water even a thing?”
—Parker W., California State University, Chico

If you search online for the benefits of coconut water, you’ll get a list of claims that make it sound like a magical drink. They might claim that it cures hangovers, helps with weight loss, is nutrient-rich, or boosts hydration. When you dig a little deeper, however, you can find out what’s really known about coconut water.

What is coconut water?
Coconut water is a clear liquid that comes from young, green coconuts. It is lower in calories and sodium, and higher in potassium, than sports drinks, and doesn’t contain extra calories from sugar.

Does that make it a better drink?
Coconut water replaced body fluids lost during exercise about as much as a typical sports drink or drinking water did, according to a 2007 study in Malaysia. So, it could be used to rehydrate after exercise, but so can water or sports drinks, which may cost less and taste better. 

For those who prefer a strenuous workout, coconut water has insufficient carbohydrates and electrolytes to support intense physical activity. A better way to fuel your body is with a high-carbohydrate food, such as a bagel, and plenty of water during your workout. 

What about the other claims? 
No major studies link coconut water to cancer prevention or hangover cures, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Those looking for a healthy beverage choice might enjoy coconut water, which contains some nutrients and is high in potassium and Vitamin C. It is slightly high in sodium, however, so if you drink coconut water often, watch your sodium intake from other sources. 

Here’s the bottom line: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. To maintain your health, a good start is to be physically active, eat well, and get enough sleep. These wellness activities will go a long way toward keeping you healthy in university and beyond.

Mind your mind

Stress less this holiday season

By Dr. Holly Rogers

Finals are over. You’re supposed to head back home today but you can’t locate your suitcase, let alone think about packing it. Remember which airline you’re flying? Better find out. And be sure to brace for the annual fight over who shovels the driveway. Urgh, you just can’t even.

Before you resign yourself to a winter break in residence, learn the art of the conscious breath. You’ll need it when Uncle Reg tries to seat you at the kids’ table.

#JobProb

Revamp your resumé

In this feature, a recruitment expert reworks a student’s resumé, showing how to tweak it for greater impact and better internship or job prospects. Compare the “before” and “after” versions.

Whichever year of college or university you’re in, it’s not too soon to be thinking about how to position yourself for the job market you’ll face after graduation. The Job Prob, our monthly series, shows you how to use your post-secondary years to build the skills, practical experience, and networks that will help you thrive professionally.

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Contributor spotlight

Jianna Khouri is a fourth-year undergraduate at Mount Royal University in Alberta, majoring in Sociology.

For this issue, Jianna reviewed Happify, an app with the sole purpose of trying to make us happier. It’s a mix of games and activities that help reduce stress and negative thoughts.

Why did you join the SH101 Student Advisory Board?
“I joined the SAB because I think Student Health 101 is a great magazine with relevant topics that I can relate to. The articles about how to get enough sleep and how to budget have helped me get rid of nighttime distractions and learn how to save my money more effectively.”

Best productivity tip?
“Get rid of clutter in your life and consider minimalist living. The more stuff we have, the more we have to worry about. I would recommend reducing the amount of clothes you have. When I did this, my room felt lighter (like there was suddenly more room to breathe and relax) and was also less of a mess. Having less stuff allows me to focus on what I need to be doing and helps me feel calmer.”

Student reporter internship
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Student advisory board
Selected students from our diverse community of readers help shape SH101 content.
+ 2015 – 16 Student Advisory Board