OSWEGO, NY – Where the temperatures seem to get colder and the work load seems to become heavier, this is the time of the years where a healthier life style is the most important way to get you through these winter months. Sharing living quarters, restrooms and combined social activities makes it easier for students to catch that common cold or flu. But even more so, unhealthy practices like eating junk food, not exercising regularly and not getting enough sleep can have the worst outcome on a students daily life.

“In college I pack myself full of vitamins. I grew up in Virginia and we get a lot of sun and light over there, which vitamin D comes from sunlight,” said Deanna Jones. Well during the winter months we don’t have much sunlight so I take a Vitamin D pill every morning to help jump start my system.”

Eating right seems to be one of the biggest problems for college students. Many don’t realize that this is not only important to consume but to help fight off germs and bacteria.

“I starting drinking propel water. Just the flavor packets to flavor up my water to make sure I am drinking it. That has like 50% Vitamins across the board as opposed to the generic Walmart brand. So its worth the extra 50 cents to get the propel version just to make sure you are getting the electro lights you need and all vitamins you need. Because you need that to fight off any sort of cold or flu.” Said Deanna Jones, Resident student of Oswego

Healwithfood.org  has many useful tips on how to eat right on a low budget. For instance, substituting soda with a fruit juice and if your still craving a carbonated drink, add a little seltzer water or ginger ale.

However, if you still need that extra little kick to start eating right, you can see a dietitian right here on campus.

by Daniel Manou

Oswego, NY- As underage drinking and drug use grows around the country, Oswego County is trying to find ways to not only control this epidemic but turn it into a positive trend.

On a daily basis alcohol is in the public’s eyes whether from advertisements, stores or people using it around them regardless of the viewers age. According to a multi-year study by Farnham Family Services alcohol is the most used drug among minors in Oswego County. However, compared to the last survey, this year’s results are showing progress. Prevention Services Director Penny Morley believes the results of this year’s survey is heading in the right direction.

“We did a youth development survey in 2013 and another one in 2016, and our numbers are going down, youth that are reporting underage drinking,” she said.

Although Morley acknowledges the comparison of surveys shows only a small drop in underage drinking, she is still pleased with the numbers.

“Just a few percentage points, but even just a few percentage points is better than having an increase”, said Morley.

According to the survey nearly 70 percent of high school seniors have used alcohol. Most minors reported the easiest access is from their own home.

In an effort lead by Oswego County Undersheriff Gene Sullivan, police have attempted to stop underage parties. Sullivan has been working to shut down these parties and educate minors about the dangers of underage drinking since 2011. However, he has directly seen what consequences arise.

“By the end of the night we would have fights, vandalism would occur and in the worst case scenario people driving away from that party, getting into crashes some of them were fatalities,” Undersheriff Sullivan said.

In 2014, Farnham instituted the Oswego County Prevention Coalition in response to the 2013 survey and has worked alongside schools to educate the youth. According to the 2016 results, ninth grade, the same age period when alcohol is most dangerous to children, was where the usage jumped the highest.

“Anyone that uses before the age of 15 has a much higher likelihood of addiction as an adult, their brains are not fully formed at that point”, said Morley.

With the tactics that have been put in place and continue to be worked on, there have been signs that they have made an impact.

“I think there’s been tremendous progress, but it’s been painfully slow. It’s a difficult message to deliver”, said Undersheriff Sullivan.

Even with the long awaited results showing optimism, both Morley and Sullivan know their job isn’t done.