I got this out because while I am *well* past my first year of college, I was definitely a mess that first year and like to keep an eye on things that may help people who were like me. I do like a lot of this book-- I like the scientific explanations and the breakdowns on when an injury is concerning enough to require medical treatment.

However, I find a couple of the sections off-putting. The first section I was a little unimpressed by was the section on drugs. Now I am someone who has never done any illegal substances (or even ones that are now considered legal) and even I found the tone in this section to be unhelpful. Yes, there should be facts on how dangerous drugs are, but this section seemed needlessly fear-mongering. There are a lot of people that use some form of cannabis for pain relief etc and while I am not one of them (and certainly want to see more studies on it), that doesn't change that there are more reasons people use drugs than to just get high/focus on studying.

The section on the "Freshman Fifteen" however, upset me enough to dock a full star and reconsider if I would recommend it to a vulnerable college student (and frankly I'm not sure I would). I expected the chapter to detail why this happens, sure, but then all it does is list ways to lose the weight! There is not a single sentence about how weight gain is not necessarily a concern and to accept that it happens. Instead, there is a headline about accountability that says to step on a scale every week or get a personal trainer for the first semester of school. This is TERRIBLE ADVICE! Plus, what first year student can pay for a personal trainer and have time to see one? Ridiculous. This entire section is practically a step by step manual on how to give yourself an eating disorder.

This accessible manual is a great starter guide for any young person leaving home for the first time. It's separated into many easy-to-find sections so it information can be reached quickly when needed. It also includes diagrams and illustrations, instead of dense, dry text, that will be appealing to those with shorter attention spans or in need of a quick answer.

Even young people with the best parents will have uncertainties when they're out on their own. This is a great book to equip them with to give them confidence from a reliable source, and to point them in the right direction when they need help.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook is an awesome book to give kids when they go away to college. It is written by a doctor and filled with reliable and factual information presented in easy and understandable terms. This book will enable young adults to be self reliant. Being sick with no one around, away from family, is tough and being able to care for yourself is a valuable asset. This book is organized well and easy to understand. I was thrilled with the chance to give it to my daughter who is seven hours away at school, gone from home for the first time. Thank you so much for this amazing book!!! Perfect for college students (and everyone actually) who are looking for information in regards to their health issues!!

What If: I don't know how to review this?
Medival name: brain freeze

What most likely happened:
You read a book about diseases for College Students. They are without there parents and checking their symptoms with webdoc pages. They think they will die even if they have only a headache.

Okay, I'm out of my creativity, but this book IS helpful though. There is so many useful information in the language of the students, and it's also funny but serious where it needs to be.

I recommend it to every hypochonder people - this book is way better than using the internet, and thinking that you have a fatal disease