That's what it's there for

OK, I admit in hindsight there were a few (20 or 30) times a few weeks ago when I really should have just swallowed my pride, gotten over my fears and gone to the IU Health Center.\nI had what appeared to be a cold or a dead fish caught in my sinus cavity or something. I don't really know. I get sick easily in autumn, because I have seasonal allergies and the actual germs sneak into me.\n"Don't mind us!" they say, flashing their fake allergy ID cards. "We're just allergies!" I'm pretty sure I should hire a bouncer from Nick's English Hut to guard my nose.\nAnyway, the point is I avoided the Health Center, and I was miserable. Then I thought: I never liked the doctor back home, and I don't want to go to some stranger's clinic. How many other students might feel that way? \nAs a "journalist," I knew I simply couldn't just stand idly by. I promised myself that once I was well, I would suck it up and be brave and report what really goes on at the Health Center in the sincerest hope that someday maybe, just maybe, I could fill up 600 words.\nThat landed me in the office of Hugh Jessop, who has been the director of the Health Center for the past 15 years, and I swear he knows every employee's name. He told me that the Center's primary goal is to try to provide the best support for students. \nJessop runs a very punctual and efficient center. He said the staff members successfully balance their walk-in services with previously phoned-in appointments to help students and to create good provider-patient relationships.\n(All practicing physicians and nurses at the Health Center are professional; no student is employed to take care of other students, and I think we can all agree that's a great thing.)\nI took an exclusive tour of the technologically-advanced four-story building, and let me tell you: that place has almost everything. \nThey have optometry, orthopedic and OB/GYN clinics; allergy and immunization clinics; a full-service pharmacy; radiology; counseling, psychological and sexual assault crisis services; you can get free condoms or be tested for STDs; and there's a health and wellness center, where -- don't worry, I'm looking into this for another column of investigative reporting -- you can schedule a massage appointment with a certified massage therapist.\nAfter the tour when we got back to Jessop's office, I asked about the cost. Some college kids can be pretty frugal, I said. But if the possible cost of the Health Center is your major detractor, there's good news.\nIf you're taking at least 3 credit hours, you've already paid a student health fee. That means, at about $14 for a visit (women's clinic fees are waived if you make an appointment), most services there cost considerably less than other health care facilities. \n Also, the cost of the services can be charged to your bursar account, and I know you're thinking: "Woo, free meds!" But calm down, it's not like that at all. It's much more like, "Woo, meds I don't have to pay for yet!"\nIn conclusion, there's simply no scientific reason to be wary of the Health Center. If you need to go, just go. That's what it's there for. In fact, after I interviewed Jessop, I went ahead and received a flu shot. I suggest you do the same thing. I'm happy to report after 72 hours I regained consciousness and could move most of the left side of my body.\nHa, ha! But seriously, get a flu shot and save yourself the misery this winter.