We all know that everyone at UCL will have different experiences and ideas about sex and relationships...but before you get caught up in the exciting times ahead make sure you read below to ensure you stay safe and healthy whatever you get up to...
Be prepared: play it safe
Contraception is free for most people in the UK and is used to protect you from STIs and pregnancy.With 15 methods to choose from, you'll find one that suits you- to check out all 15 in detail go to the 'Guide to Contraceptives' section on the NHS website where you can find all the information you will need to make a decision about which contraceptive is for you.
Condoms however are the only type of contraception that help to protect against STIs and pregnancy, so whatever other method of contraception you're using to prevent pregnancy, make sure you also use condoms to prevent any chance of getting an STI!
You can get free condoms from local clinics and pharmacies - one of the closest to Bloomsbury Campus is:
Brook Euston
92 - 94 Chalton Street,
Euston,
London,
NW1 1HJ
Tel: 020 7387 8700
Brook offers:
Free and confidential sexual health services for young people under 25. Including contraception, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, abortion referral, counselling, and chlamydia testing and treatment.
Now you know where to get them from (for free!) there is no excuse not to use a condom.
If you are not based near Euston then you can find your nearest free condom supplier on the NHS website through the 'Sexual Health Services Near You' area of the website.
Get checked out!
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK. Make sure you know how to protect yourself and your partner, and where you can go to get tested.
To find out where the nearest screening office to Bloomsbury Campus is contact Camden & Islington Chlamydia Screening Office
on there local helpline number 020 7530 3630.
OR visit 'Check Urself' to order your free 'test yourself' kit to be delivered to your door!
Although Chlamydia is the most common STI found in under 25s it is not the only STI you should be protecting yourself from.
Get tested for all STIs at:
Mortimer Market Centre
Mortimer Market, Off Capper Street, London, WC1E 6JB
Tel: 020 3317 5100
Mortimer Market Centre offers all the advice and services you need to be sexually active and healthy whilst at University.
Be safe. Not sorry.
Pregnancy & emergency contraception
If you find yourself in need of emergency contraception or you find yourself pregnant and in need of advice there are professional clinics and doctors in the local area at hand to help.
You can visit the clinics listed above or you can ring a confidential helpline for advice.
Brook has services around the UK offering free and confidential sexual health advice, contraception and counselling to all young people under the age of 25.
Ask Brook offers a confidential interactive text and webchat service offering information, support and signposting service for anyone under 25 in the UK through;
A text chat service: 07537 402 024 (standard SMS rates apply)
A webchat service 9am-3pm and
Ask Brook 24/7 tool through the Brook website: www.brook.org.uk.
For information on key sexual health issues any time of day or night call the Brook 24-hour information line 020 7950 7700
Worth Talking About for under 19s only open Mon-Fri, 2pm-8pm, Sat-Sun 2pm-4pm on 0300 123 29 30
NHS Direct for all ages, for medical advice 24 hours a day on 111
UCLU is affiliated to Abortion Rights, an organisation campaigning to defend and extend women's rights and access to safe, legal abortion.
Have fun, be careful: Alcohol & Sex
Research shows that young people are less likely to use contraception and more likely to regret having sex if they have been drinking.
Alcohol can affect your judgement and ability to assess what you do and don't feel comfortable with. This can make you more vulnerable to sexual health risks like unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections or having sex that you didn't really want to have.
But don't let alcohol or drugs make up your mind for you.
If you go out and are drinking or are taking drugs then make sure that you are still able to think straight so that you don't put yourself in a risky position. If you are able to stand up for what you want and feel ready for, you won't end up with a head full of regrets in the morning.
If you are planning a night out and think that it might include having sex with someone you fancy, then make sure that you are ready.
Firstly, think about whether you definintely want to have sex with the person and whether it might be something you regret in the morning.
And of course remember to plan your contraception in advance and always use a condom to protect yourself from unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
How healthy are you?
Take the Sexual Health Assessment to find out.