Fall 2026 Health Guidance

AUGUST 2026

Starting the Semester Well

Welcome to the 2026-27 academic year! Whether you are new to Oberlin or returning to campus, we are excited to have you here. Student Health and Well-Being is committed to supporting your physical, and mental, well-being throughout your Oberlin journey. As you settle into the semester, we encourage you to review the information below for important health updates, campus resources, and practical tips to help you stay healthy, manage stress, and thrive both inside and outside the classroom. We are here to support you every step of the way.

Student Health Services

Visit Us

We are located at Dascomb Hall, Suite B, 140 W. College St. Schedule an appointment by calling (440) 775-8180 or email  health@oberlin.edu. 

We are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with extended hours until 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays. 

Walk-in hours - (First come, first served) are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

After-hours / Weekend

• Call Nurse 1(877) 924-7758

Counseling & Psychological Services and Student-Athlete Wellness 

Visit Us

Schedule an appointment by calling (440) 775-8470 or email CAPS@oberlin.edu with general questions, but please do not include private health information. 

We are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.--4:30 p.m., with extended hours until 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays. 

Walk-in hours: (First come, first served) are available Monday through Friday, from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. 

Additional teletherapy: Available through our free teletherapy UWill and register with your Oberlin email.

After-hours / Weekend

• Protocall (a counselor, any time when CAPS is closed): 855-256-7160
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
• Campus Safety: 440-775-8444
• Emergency: 911
• Mercy Health–Allen Hospital ER (open 24 hours): 200 W. Lorain St., Oberlin, OH 44074

Cold and Flu Season

Respiratory illness activity in the United States is currently low. However, we encourage all members of our campus community to stay vigilant with hand and respiratory hygiene measures and take precautions to protect themselves and those around them. Please read on for additional health recommendations and updates.

Respiratory illness season: Cases of influenza remain low in Lorain County. Student Health Services stays in close contact with Lorain County Public Health to monitor communicable disease activity. We encourage all members of our campus community to remain vigilant by practicing good hand and respiratory hygiene and taking appropriate precautions. Respiratory viruses can cause a range of symptoms, from mild cold-like illness to more severe respiratory complications, particularly among individuals with underlying health conditions. Learn more about respiratory viruses on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Symptoms to watch for: Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, cough, runny or congested nose, and decrease in appetite. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or otherwise do not feel well, please reach out to Student Health for an appointment and guidance on helpful steps to take.

Tips for Preventing Respiratory Illnesses

Hand hygiene: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Find additional handwashing guidance on the CDC website.

Stay up to date on vaccinations
Prevention is the best course for staying healthy, and many respiratory viruses and other communicable illnesses circulate year-round in the U.S.—typically with more activity during the fall and winter months (cold and flu season), when people spend more time inside.

Free flu vaccines are available to students from Student Health Services during annual vaccination clinics and during regular office visits. Flu vaccination events will be held on the following dates, times, and locations:

• 09/22/26 in Wilder Hall Main | 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
• 09/24/26 in Kahn Hall | 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• 10/08/26 in Wilder Hall Main |11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• 10/15/26 in Woodland 107-Lounge |12 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• 01/20/27 in Wilder Main |12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• 02/03/27 in Khan Hall |12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

We recommend following CDC guidance and staying up to date on recommended vaccines. Student Health offers the flu vaccine on-site, and area pharmacies including CVS and Drug Mart offer vaccines such as COVID-19 and accept insurance (call ahead for appointments).

Tips for preventing respiratory illnesses: 

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Get recommended vaccinations.
• Wear a mask around groups if symptomatic.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and discard tissues in the trash after use. If a tissue is not available, please sneeze into an elbow rather than into your hands. Wash hands immediately after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Stay hydrated
Drinking sufficient amounts of water helps keep joints healthy, regulates temperature, and aids concentration and focus. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and consider a hydration routine to keep your body and mind running efficiently and feeling strong. 

Stay active and outdoors
Regular physical activity—even brisk walking—can boost mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and help you think clearly. Engaging in physical activities outdoors offers the added benefit of exposure to sunlight, which helps keep the body’s internal clock on track. We encourage you to spend some time outdoors and be active. This gets you ready to dive into the new semester.

Get sleep
Sleep routines often take a hit during summer breaks. Get your sleep schedule back on track: Aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night for optimum physical and mental health. 

We look forward to the start of a healthy, safe, and successful year. If you have any questions, please email Student Health at health@oberlin.edu.

Counseling & Psychological Services and Student-Athlete Wellness

A new semester brings a mix of excitement, stress, and uncertainty. Adjusting to new classes, routines, and relationships takes time for almost everyone.

A few basics help:

• Keep sleep, meals, and daily routines as steady as you can.
• Stay connected with the people who help you feel grounded.
• Reach out before things feel unmanageable.

You don't need to be in crisis to contact CAPS. Students come to us about stress, anxiety, feeling down, relationships, adjustment, homesickness, and much more. A counselor will talk with you about what's going on and help you figure out what support fits.

At Student Health and Well-Being (SHAW), we are here to support you with compassionate, student-centered care throughout the year. We encourage you to take advantage of the resources available, reach out whenever you need support, and make your well-being a priority as you begin the semester.