Everyone! Unfortunately, unexpected accidents and illnesses do occur and students without comprehensive insurance are more likely to drop out of school for financial or health-related reasons.

What about University Health Services?

All enrolled students are eligible for the medical and counseling care available at University Health Services (UHS), but UHS is not a substitute for health insurance. UHS is not open evenings and weekends and does not provide emergency care, hospitalization, or specialty care for complex problems.

I already have health insurance. How can I tell if it is good enough?

Even if you already have health insurance, you need to be aware of the following:

• Employer plans often limit coverage to emergency room care while you are out of the plan area, and you may have to take time off school to return to your hometown for treatment.
• Even in their home area, some plans have increasingly narrow provider networks. As a result it can be difficult for enrollees to access key services such as mental health.
• Many plans require enrollees to pay a large portion of their medical costs. High deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance can make enrollees reluctant, or unable to seek medical attention when they need it.

Five reasons to choose the UW-Madison Student Health Insurance Plan

1. SHIP is designed specifically for UW–Madison students.
2. UHS provides primary and preventive care on campus, keeping costs as low as possible.
3. SHIP travels with you. SHIP members are protected by nationwide networks of hospitals, clinics, and specialized medical services.
4. SHIP has low member cost-sharing, with network deductibles starting from $300.
5. Value. Meeting the needs of our students is our motivation—not profit.

Other SHIP benefits include:

• Preventive care including an annual eye exam
• Prescription drug bene­fit (including specialty meds)
• Available coverage for spouse, domestic partner, and children
• Worldwide assistance
• On-campus customer service team
• And much more!

Fall coverage is effective from August 15, 2025, and enrollments must be received by September 14, 2025.

Click here for additional information and to enroll online.

Meet Alex.

Alex is a junior in college balancing classes, a part-time job, and leadership in a student organization. This semester, Alex has a goal: Increase attendance at the group’s weekly events.

In the past, efforts like this started strong but quickly fizzled. No one really knew what the target was, how to track success, or when to follow up. This time, Alex wants to do things differently—by using the SMART goals method to keep the plan on track.

What Are SMART Goals?

SMART stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Each of these elements turns a vague intention into a goal you can actually achieve. This approach removes confusion, sets a clear deadline, and makes it easier to measure your progress (or adjust if things go off course).

A SMART goal formula might look like:

“My goal is to [clear, quantifiable outcome] by [specific deadline]. I’ll reach this goal by [actions you’ll take], which will help [intended result].”

Let’s use Alex’s event attendance goal to walk through each step of the framework.

S = Specific

First, you need to get clear on what exactly you’re trying to accomplish. Ask yourself:

• What do I want to achieve?
• Who’s involved?
• What steps will help me get there?

For Alex, a vague goal like “get more people to attend events” isn’t helpful. Here’s a more focused version:

Increase student organization event attendance by improving event promotion and offering giveaways.

M = Measurable

Your goal should have something you can track. Otherwise, how do you know if you’re making progress? Alex adds numbers and details to the plan:

Boost weekly attendance from an average of 20 to 40 students by advertising on Instagram, group chats, and flyers across campus. Offer a free t-shirt giveaway at events.

A = Achievable

You want your goal to be challenging, but not so much that it’s totally unrealistic. Think about time, resources, and support. Alex realizes there may not be enough volunteers to consistently table on campus or run big giveaways every week. So, they adjust the plan:

Increase weekly attendance from 20 to 40 students by promoting events on Instagram, student org group chats, and by posting flyers in 3 major campus buildings. Offer a t-shirt giveaway at two key events only.

R = Relevant

Does this goal align with what matters to you or your group? Does it support a bigger mission? Alex’s org wants to grow their presence on campus, and more attendees at events would help with recruitment, leadership development, and recognition.

Boost weekly attendance from 20 to 40 students using Instagram, group chats, and strategic flyer placement. Offering giveaways at two events will create interest. More attendees support the org’s mission of growing leadership and community involvement.

T = Time-bound

Without a deadline, goals can drag on forever. A time-bound goal keeps you focused and accountable. Alex picks a timeframe:

Increase weekly event attendance from 20 to 40 students by the end of this semester. Promotion will begin during Week 3 and include Instagram posts twice a week, flyers posted by Week 4, and giveaways at the events during Weeks 6 and 10.

Final SMART Goal:

Increase weekly attendance at student org events from 20 to 40 students by the end of the semester. I’ll do this by promoting on Instagram twice a week, posting flyers in three major buildings by Week 4, and offering t-shirt giveaways during Weeks 6 and 10. This supports our goal of growing student involvement and campus visibility.

Why This Matters

Whether you’re organizing an event, setting a study goal, or preparing for post-grad plans, SMART goals help you stay focused and realistic without losing motivation. Once you get the hang of it, you can apply this framework to anything: school, internships, personal habits, or career planning.

Your thoughts influence how you feel and behave. Positive affirmations help challenge those negative thoughts by replacing them with empowering ones. With regular practice, they can help shift your inner dialogue in a more supportive direction. Tailoring positive affirmations to yourself makes them even more meaningful and effective.

Step 1: Identify your negative thoughts

It’s normal to have a wide range of thoughts come up, including some that are positive and negative. Begin by noticing the kinds of thoughts that bring your down or hold you back. What do you say to yourself when you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or discouraged?

Example:

• “I’m not smart enough to do this”
• “I always mess things up”
• “I’ll never get through this”

Step 2: Reframe negative thoughts into constructive affirmations.

Take the negative thought and reframe it into something constructive. Affirmations should focus on what you want to believe or working toward. It’s important to begin each affirmation with “I” or “I am” as it clearly reflects who you are or who you want to be.

Tip:

• Steer clear of negative wording. Instead of saying “I am not disorganized” say: “I keep my space and schedule organized to stay focused”.
• Use present tense and avoid future phrasing. Instead of saying “I will be smart enough one day” say: “I am capable of learning and growing every day”.

Step 3: Keep it short and specific

Affirmations should be clear, simple, and easy to remember. Try to keep them one sentence with 5-12 words maximum.

Step 4: Be creative with your word choice

Use words that feel natural and authentic to who you are. Your affirmation should sound like something you would say. Don’t be afraid of using a thesaurus to strengthen your statements. Create statements that make you feel empowered. Saying “I am remarkable and cherished” may feel more empowering for you compared to “I am worthy”.

Step 5: Practice regularly

Affirmations are most effective when we say them aloud to ourselves. Make them part of your daily routine by repeating your affirmations in front of a mirror, while journaling, or even as a reminder on your phone. You can also write them down on sticky notes and post them in places that you see often such as your fridge, door, or in your car. Repetition helps reinforce the belief.

Say your affirmations:

• First thing in the morning
• Before a big event or test
• When you feel anxious or discouraged

If you feel awkward saying them aloud, begin by writing them down in a journal. Write out each affirmation several times. As you continue to journal, take note of whether your handwriting or style changes over time. This can be a good indication that your brain is processing and integrating your statements.

 Your inner voice matters.

By intentionally creating and practicing affirmations, you can train your brain to be more supportive and encouraging of yourself.

Affirmations to use during exams

• “I am prepared and capable of succeeding”
• “I trust myself to recall what I have studied”
• “I have worked hard”
• “I am doing by best and I am proud of what I have accomplished”
• “I take care of myself, and I allow myself to take breaks”
• “I am calm and focused”

The accreditation process is marked by an on-site evaluation over the course of two days that includes a review of records and meetings with providers, staff, and students to determine whether UHS meets more than 150 standards established by AAAHC. Ahead of the on-site evaluation, UHS staff from across the organization work to review policies and procedures, assess quality improvement projects, and ensure rigorous health, safety, and education standards are met. 

After clinical observations and interviews with staff, one accreditor commented that the UHS clinic was well organized and neat. Further, UHS received positive feedback that our staff are really “sharp,” which the accreditor noted as a reflection of good leadership and coaching. 

“Reaccreditation is a rigorous process,” said UHS Executive Director Jake Baggott. “Our team works hard to prepare for the evaluation, and I’m immensely proud of our organization’s commitment to excellence in care.” 

One accreditor shared the parting words that they would feel comfortable having their child come to UHS to seek care. This heartfelt feedback, alongside a successful reaccreditation process, affirms our collective efforts to promote, protect, and improve student health and wellbeing. 

The 2025 accreditation process was led by Luke Thompson, Associate Director of Health Information Management and Privacy. UHS will next participate in reaccreditation in 2028. 

College, for many, is a period of transformation that extends far beyond the classroom. It is a time marked by intense academic pressure, but also by identity exploration, emotional growth, and mental health challenges. We asked several graduating seniors to reflect on those experiences and share their advice.

Know when to take a break

“I was struggling with severe anxiety and OCD during my freshman year which made it hard to build friendships and do well in classes,” said one student. “I made it through with the help of UHS resources and then once my first semester was over I made a very difficult decision to take the spring semester off.”

The student, who asked to remain anonymous, shared that their decision to take time off was heartbreaking, but ultimately crucial. “It was a lot of work and continues to be work to keep up my mental wellness but any sacrifice was worth it to get to experience my time at UW to the fullest.”

When asked what advice they would give first-year students, they said, “Whatever is going on, it’s okay. If your freshman year isn’t meeting expectations, or is hard and things aren’t going like you wanted, that is okay. We have four years at UW. Take your time and do what will benefit you in the long run.”

Redefine success on your terms

Another student, who also took a gap year to focus on mental health, emphasized the importance of redefining success on personal terms.“Minimize the amount of expectations that you consider, whether they are placed on you by others or yourself,” the student said. “Practice being open to all the experiences that are presented to you. Create your own college experience that aligns with your values, not the college experience that you think others think you should have or would enjoy.”

While college often begins with the pressure to follow a traditional path, many students discover that true growth comes from taking unexpected turns. Choosing to prioritize mental health, even when it means stepping off the expected track, takes courage. As graduation approaches, these stories serve as a powerful reminder that success isn’t defined solely by academic achievements — but also by the strength it takes to get there.

Celebrate your success

Thanks to a generous gift from the Senior Class Office, UHS Mental Health Services is hosting a senior class event series to help students gain practical post-grad skills and celebrate their success. Learn more about the event series and RSVP.

• Real Talk: Navigating Life Post-Graduation | Tuesday, April 29 from 4 – 6 PM at Memorial Union, see TITU
• Toast to the Tassels: Celebrating Current and Future Friendships | Wednesday, April 30 from 4 – 6 PM at Wolf Teaching Kitchen, Bakke
• Caps & Conversations | Thursday, May 1 from 4 – 6 PM at Wheelhouse Studios.

Here are a few ways you can contribute to a safer, more inclusive environment on campus. 

Disrupt the narrative that binge drinking is the norm at UW–Madison.  

• Why this is important: Numbers of students who don’t drink are increasing with every incoming class—66% of incoming students reported being nondrinkers in our most recent data (AlcoholEdu 2024). Because drinking rates vary substantially by identity, beliefs and practices that normalize high-risk alcohol use can alienate students who most need to be included. 

• What you can do:  

• • Consider your language. Phrases like “Work hard, play hard” can unintentionally reinforce harmful narratives about alcohol and alcohol culture at UW–Madison.  

• • Set positive norms. Treating alcohol use as a rite of passage for college students normalizes alcohol use that may be illegal, unsafe, and harmful to our community. 

Center the experiences and wellbeing of nondrinkers and students in recovery. 

• Why this is important: Sometimes, it might feel to students like everyone on campus drinks, but with increasing numbers of non-drinkers on our campus, high-risk drinking is not the norm. It’s important to ensure messaging is inclusive of these students and amplifies healthy behaviors instead of only focusing on those choosing to drink at high risk.  

• What you can do:  

• • Promote and plan alcohol-free spaces, events, programs, and activities, especially during high-risk times of year, so students know there are ways to find community on campus that do not involve alcohol.  

• • Learn about resources that center nondrinkers and students in recovery, such as Badger Recovery. Consider signing up for the Badger Recovery listserv for updates, events, and strategies.

Rethink the campus events you host.  

• Why this is important: From our data, we know that non-drinkers and students in recovery experience some of the lowest levels of belonging of campus (Color of Drinking 2023). At events with alcohol or during times of year when high-risk drinking is more visible and more prevalent, these students can feel further isolated and unsupported. 

• What you can do:  

• • Plan substance-free events. As you are planning for the end of the semester and the next academic year, consider sponsoring an on-campus event, or providing space for students who choose not to attend high-risk drinking events. Food, music, and recreation activities can build community among students who may feel less of a sense of belonging during these times. 

• • Take inventory. Think about the events your class, department, or organization hosts. Do many of them involve alcohol or take place in settings where alcohol is present?  Do they need to? Consider who is excluded when socializing with alcohol is the norm. 

If you are looking for more ideas about how to apply these practices to your organization or department, UHS Prevention offers consultative support, including sharing data and best practices, connecting you to resources, and helping you think through actions you can take to support student wellbeing. 

Campus Resources  

• University Health Services provides medical and mental health support for substance misuse, group therapy for students looking to use substances more wisely. 

• Badger Recovery is UW–Madison’s collegiate recovery program, which connects and supports students in or considering recovery from substance misuse, eating concerns, and other addictive behaviors to help them maintain their recovery, achieve their academic goals, and find belonging on campus. 

• Office of Student Assistance and Support provides options for reporting personal, academic, and health concerns for students. 

• Amnesty Through Responsible Action aims to reduce the reasons why a student wouldn’t seek help in a medical or mental health emergency by ensuring no University disciplinary action for students who do the right thing and call for help—even if alcohol and/or drugs are involved.  

Responsible medication storage and disposal helps keep our campus community safe by preventing misuse, overdose, and other harm. It also helps us protect the environment. Improperly disposing of medications, such as by flushing them down the toilet or placing them in general trash collection, can contaminate soil and groundwater, which can poison people, pets, and wildlife.   

Here’s how you can do your part to protect our community and the environment during Earth Week—and year-round.  

Safe disposal options 

At this time of the year, many people are taking on spring cleaning projects, and many students are preparing to move out of residence halls and apartments. This means it’s especially important to be aware of safe disposal options available on campus and in the Madison community.  

There are several options available for safe medication disposal:  

• Medication Drop Boxes: Throughout the year, the University of Wisconsin Police Department offers a medication drop box that’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1429 Monroe St. Local pharmacies, and many fire stations, municipal buildings, and hospitals offer medication drop boxes for safe disposal. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) also offers an online tool for finding a designated collection site near you.   

• Medication Take-back Events: The DEA, University Health Services, and local public health agencies offer medication take-back events throughout the year.   

• Safe At-Home Disposal: You can also use a drug deactivation bag, such as a Deterra bag, to safely dissolve and dispose of medication at home. 

Learn more about safe medication storage and disposal.  

Upcoming medication take-back events 

To provide an opportunity to dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medications, University Health Services, in partnership with UWPD, is hosting two medication take-back events this April. Mark your calendar!  

• Dejope Hall: April 23 from 11am–2pm. View event details. 

• Gordon Dining & Event Center: April 24 from 4–6pm. View event details. 

These events are open to all UW–Madison students, faculty, staff, and visitors and are hosted as part of Earth Fest.  

You can dispose of most prescription and over-the-counter medications (like vitamins, cold medicine, and Tylenol) at a medication take-back event. These events also provide an opportunity to connect with campus and community resources related to harm reduction, overdose prevention, and sustainability. Pick up a medication lockbox, receive a 5-minute Narcan demo, and take home a drug deactivation bag. 

Thank you for doing your part to keep our campus community—and the environment—safe.  

Connect & Reflect 

This April, UHS Survivor Services and Violence Prevention will host ”Connect & Reflect”—a space for student survivors and allies to reclaim campus, build community, and break the stigma around survivorship. Preview upcoming Connect & Reflect events below and visit the webpage for more information.  

CONNECT 

Coffee & Consent | April 30th from 10 PM – 2 PM on East Campus Mall 

Stop by for a cup of coffee and learn about campus, student-led, and community resources available to survivors. 

Day of Connection | April 30th from 2 PM – 7 PM on the 4th floor of the Student Activity Center  

Connect with other student survivors through assorted art and crafts, movement, and violence prevention activities. View the full schedule.  

REFLECT  

Art & History Gallery | April 1st – 30th open daily from 10 AM – 8 PM on the 4th floor of the Student Activity Center 

View the past 50 years of campus sexual assault activism alongside art by student survivors in person and online.  

Closing Reception | April 30th from 4 PM – 5:30 PM on the 4th floor of the Student Activity Center 

Gather for refreshments and conversation with UHS and campus partners working on sexual violence research, prevention, and response. The reception will include brief remarks by Associate Director of Title IX Coordinator, Lauren Hasselbacher, and acknowledgement of this year’s student artists. 

Other ways you can get involved to support violence prevention on campus  

Join a student organization:  

• PAVE is dedicated to preventing sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking through education and activism.  

• Sex Out Loud promotes healthy sexuality through sex-positive education and activism.  

• EmBark unites survivors of sexual assault and dating violence with the shelter animal of their choice.  

Build skills to prevent violence before it occurs: 

• GetWIse@Home offers four online violence prevention programs to choose from, including DatingWIse (healthy relationships and dating violence), SexWIse (healthy sex and sexual violence), ListenWIse (trauma and survivor support), and ActWIse (recognizing violence and bystander intervention).  

• “Find Your Role” is an interactive, 10-question personality-style quiz designed to help you explore what types of stepping in may feel safest and most comfortable to you by discovering how you are already practicing different types of intervention in your everyday life. At the end of the quiz, you will receive personal, actionable feedback that matches your “role” in stepping in to prevent harm.

Attend other events and programs for Sexual Assault Awareness Month:

• Keep an eye out for other events throughout the month hosted by student organizations and campus partners, including rallies, mindfulness sessions, and self-defense classes (all hosted by the RCC)

Year-Round Support for Student Survivors at UHS 

UHS Survivor Services supports you in whatever ways feel most helpful for you, including providing emotional care, reviewing your options, and affirming your decisions. If you’re unsure how to label your experience or what support you need, our Survivor Services team is here to listen, provide resources, and help you explore your options, including referrals, accommodations, and reporting. 

To connect with an advocate, email survivorservices@uhs.wisc.edu, call 608-265-5600 (option 3), or schedule online via MyUHS. 

While this is worrisome, measles is highly preventable with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. For context, among the over 200 cases, about 94% of them were among people who are unvaccinated. With spring break just around the corner, it’s important to prepare for any upcoming travel and take the proper steps to protect your health and the health of others. 

Check your vaccination status 

Many students received a series of 2 MMR vaccines when they were kids. The MMR vaccine is a common requirement for public schools because of the serious health effects of measles and how contagious it is. For every one person who gets measles, up to 18 unvaccinated people will become infected – That makes measles about 9 times more infectious than COVID-19. The MMR vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles and is our most important tool to prevent infection and further spread of the disease. 

If you are from Wisconsin, you can check the Wisconsin Immunization Registry. If you are from another U.S. state, visit the CDC website for ways to locate your vaccination records. Your home health care provider or a parent can also help you locate your vaccination records to check for the MMR vaccine (which is a 2-dose series). 

If you haven’t received 2-doses of the MMR vaccine, you are highly recommended to get vaccinated. UHS provides MMR vaccines for a cost. Vaccines are also available at local Madison pharmacies. 

Upload your record to MyUHS 

Once you check your MMR vaccine status, please let UHS know by uploading your records to MyUHS. This is important because it helps our campus stay prepared as we continue to monitor infectious disease activity. In the event of an outbreak, we can then quickly identify students who are unvaccinated and at high risk for measles. Since measles is so infectious, in the event of an outbreak, any exposed students without documented proof of 2 doses of MMR vaccine would have to quarantine to prevent further spread.  

1. Login to MyUHS 
2. Once logged in, go to Medical Clearances. Click Update next to Immunization Record. Upload a file that includes your records along with your full name and date of birth. 
3. Next, click Update next to Measles. Add Immunization under Vaccine History entering the Date and Immunization. 

After that, your vaccine records will be reviewed by UHS staff members. Thank you for doing your part to keep yourself, and campus, healthy. 

The University of Wisconsin–Madison provides free access to Narcan, a brand of naloxone nasal spray, to UW–Madison students, faculty and staff, and visitors. This lifesaving medicine can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and is now available at 35 campus locations.  

UW–Madison participates in Wisconsin Voices for Recovery‘s Nalox-ZONE Program, which provides free access to naloxone. The university has continued to expand access to Narcan through wall-mounted boxes in campus buildings. In 2022, Narcan was made available in university Housing, with additional access points on campus added in 2023. In March 2025, 10 more Narcan boxes were installed in university buildings, including Memorial Library, Fluno Center, and the Arboretum. 

The boxes contain Narcan nasal spray, a breathing mask, and instructions on how to administer Narcan. If a bystander witnesses a person experiencing an overdose, they should call 911 immediately and administer naloxone while emergency responders are on their way. 

This semester, fentanyl test strips were also added to the Health Vending Machine in the Student Activity Center on the 3rd floor of 333 East Campus Mall. The test strips are available to students free of charge, and students can take as many as they need.  

Saving lives on campus 

Providing access to harm reduction resources like Narcan and fentanyl test strips on campus is part of UW–Madison’s campus-wide efforts to support student wellbeing and create a safer campus community. These resources are provided in response to the rise in overdose deaths in recent years, with many of these deaths attributed to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. 

Many overdoses occur in people who do not realize they have taken fentanyl, since it is often found mixed with other drugs, including cannabis, cocaine, and counterfeit pills. In addition to providing education on overdose awareness, equipping the campus community with Narcan and fentanyl test strips helps reduce the risk of overdose and save lives.  

Since its start in 2022, the Narcan program has seen significant success, with over 70 Narcan kits removed in the first two years of the program. Student knowledge of overdose awareness and Narcan administration has steadily increased based on surveys included in first-year required education programs. The program has also saved lives. UHS has received at least two reports that Narcan has been administered on campus, most recently by a student employee at the Wisconsin Union.  

Creating a safer campus community 

Here are four actions members of our campus community can take to prevent overdose on campus:  

• Know the signs of an opioid overdose. A person experiencing an opioid overdose is often unresponsive and cannot be woken up. They may also have pinpoint pupils, blue fingernails, a limp body, and erratic or shallow breathing.  

• Locate your nearest Narcan box. View the campus map of Narcan locations, and find which of the 35 boxes is most accessible to you.  

• Carry Narcan, or keep it in your home or office. Narcan is recommended for proactive carrying by those who may be at risk of overdose or know someone at risk of overdose. Campus community members who do not live on campus, or those who work or study in buildings without access, may take Narcan from a campus box in another building. 

• Have a harm reduction plan. If you or someone you know is at risk of overdose, reduce your risk of overdose by testing substances before use, carrying Narcan, and never using alone.  

Harm reduction and recovery resources 

In addition to these programs aimed at reducing drug-related harm, UHS provides medical and mental health care services, as well as recovery support through Badger Recovery.

For more information, including a list of frequently asked questions about Narcan and fentanyl test strips, visit the UHS harm reduction resources webpage.