FDA Office of Women’s Health

College Women’s Social Media Toolkit

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College Women’s Social Media Toolkit

Between keeping up with classes, making time for friends, and participating in campus activities, college women are often so busy that they neglect their health. Many college women are also learning how to manage their health independently for the first time. Student health center staff and other campus leaders play a key role in encouraging college women to take time for their health.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Women’s Health launched the College Women’s Campaign to disseminate FDA health and safety information to college students. The campaign is partnering with college health professionals, peer health programs, sororities and other campus organizations to empower young women to make informed decisions about the use of medicines and other FDA regulated products. Join over 150 schools that are participating in the College Women’s Campaign!

Help students stay safe!

Use this toolkit to share FDA’s health tips and resources with the young women on your campus.

Share our sample tweets and Facebook posts.

Pin one of our graphics to your Pinterest board or Instagram. Include a blog in your campus newsletter. Post a flyer in your student health center, library, resident hall or student union.

Add our resources to your website.

Get Free Resources

www.FDA.gov/CollegeWomen

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Sample Tweets

1. Headed back to campus? Ace your health this year. Visit www.FDA.gov/CollegeWomen.

2. Looking for a trusted health information source for college women? Visit www.FDA.gov/CollegeWomen.

3. School’s back in session. Here are 4 tips to use your medicine safely: http://go.usa.gov/x2sGW

4. Misuse of pain meds is no joke. Don’t let the buzz take your breath away: http://go.usa.gov/x2sGd

5. Are you taking medicines for a cold, allergies, or sports injury? Learn ways to avoid common medication mistakes: http://go.usa.gov/x2s73

6. There are no wrong Qs! Ask your healthcare provider about every med you take: http://go.usa.gov/x2s79

7. Do you know how to safely store your meds? Watch this video to learn how: http://go.usa.gov/x2s7m

8. #DYK your headache medicine has an expiration date? Check the drug label to be sure it’s still safe to use: http://go.usa.gov/x2sAY

9. Get tips on managing your #diabetes medicines and insulin: http://go.usa.gov/x2sAQ

10. Stay safe if using Rx pain relievers. Don’t let the buzz take your breath away: http://go.usa.gov/x2sGd

11. Going out tonight? Try adding these essential #makeup care tips to your routine: http://go.usa.gov/x2sAe

12. Hold still! A scratch with your #mascara wand can give you an eye infection. Don't put on #makeup in the car or on the bus. Check out more eye makeup tips: http://go.usa.gov/x2ss5

13. Stay fresh & focused this school year. These #sleep tips can make waking up for that 8am class a little easier: http://go.usa.gov/x2s6W

14. New contact lenses? Keep your eyes healthy and comfortable with these tips: http://go.usa.gov/x2ssh

15. Sharing clothes w/ friends is a perk of college, but keep your meds to yourself. Only take meds prescribed for you: http://go.usa.gov/x2sGW

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Sample Facebook Posts

1. Between keeping up with classes, making time for friends, and participating in campus activities, college women are busy. No matter your schedule, remember to take time for your health. Visit the FDA Office of Women’s Health at www.FDA.gov/CollegeWomen and ace your health this school year.

2. Do you know what to ask your healthcare provider about your medicines? Learn what to ask about side effects and more: http://go.usa.gov/x2s79

3. Feeling sleep deprived? It’s hard to stay healthy when you’re feeling run-down. Check out these tips for better sleep from the FDA Office of Women’s Health: http://go.usa.gov/x2s6W

4. Are you a germaphobe? When it comes to your makeup, you should be! Sharing cosmetics can spread germs to your face and eyes. Learn essential makeup tips to use all semester long: http://go.usa.gov/x2sAe

5. Prescription pain medicines can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Remember to only use them as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Don’t let the buzz take your breath away. Learn more: http://go.usa.gov/x2sGd

6. Is this the first time you’re managing your personal schedule and health on your own? Visit the student health center to learn how to take time for your health, and check out www.FDA.gov/CollegeWomen for free resources to ace your health this school year.

7. Transitioning to life in college can be hard – it’s important that we talk about our feelings. Refresh your knowledge about signs of depression: http://go.usa.gov/x2se5

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Sample Blog Posts for Students

Sample Post #1 Between keeping up with classes, making time for friends, and participating in campus activities, you’ve got a lot on your plate. No matter your schedule, it’s always important to take time for your health. College may be the first time you’re responsible for managing your health and medicines on your own. Here are 4 easy tips for using your medicines safely. #1: Follow Directions You hear it in your classes all the time, but following directions applies to your medicines too. Taking too much or too little of your medicine may make you sick. Be sure to use your medicines as directed – read the directions on the label and ask your healthcare provider how much you should take and when. #2: Ask Questions Your professors encourage you to ask questions about assignments, so why not ask your healthcare provider about your medicines? Your student health center can explain the facts about every medicine you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and vitamins. They can tell you about any side effects or special warnings, and if there are any types of food you should avoid while taking the medicine. #3: Do Not Use Expired Medicine Just like that yogurt that’s been sitting in the back of your fridge, your medicines expire too. Check the box or the prescription label for the expiration date before taking any medicine, or dietary supplement. Expired medicines may not work or may make you sick. If you’re unsure of a medicine’s expiration, just ask your healthcare provider! They can help make sure all of your medicines are safe to take. #4: Store Safely It may be convenient to keep your medicines in plain sight to help remember to take them, but it’s important to store medicines safely. Put your medicines away after each use, and keep them out of sight. Medicines can cause harm if taken by the wrong person.

Sample Post #2 When is the last time you took a moment for your health? Between making time for classes, friends, and campus activities, it can be easy to put yourself at the bottom of your priority list. The FDA Office of Women’s Health makes it easy to find trusted health information. Visit www.FDA.gov/CollegeWomen to get health tips and free resources to use in your community service and campus events. We know college may be the first time you’re responsible for managing your health and medicines on your own. Have questions? Stop by your campus health center to get personalized information that can help you navigate your health and wellness.

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Sample Blog Post for Student Health Professionals Beyond juggling busy schedules, many college women are learning how to manage their health as they live independently for the first time. It’s important to talk with students about their health and address any questions and concerns they have. To help students navigate this new chapter, the FDA’s Office of Women’s Health created an online portal to address common health concerns of college women. Visit www.FDA.gov/CollegeWomen for tips on topics that matter to your campus community. FDA OWH also provides free fact sheets and posters to use during your campus events and campus outreach.

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Social Media Graphics Instagram Post When posting this graphic and caption to Instagram, FDA OWH asks that you temporarily update the link in your profile to www.FDA.gov/CollegeWomen to allow users to easily access the College Women’s Campaign.

Stay healthy and happy this year. Get trusted health information and free resources to help ace your health this school year. Visit www.FDA.gov/CollegeWomen or click the link in our profile. #WomensHealth #College

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Pinterest Posts

Packing for campus? Take these 4 medication tips back with you. Learn more from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women’s Health. (Link image to www.FDA.gov/CollegeWomen)

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Going out tonight? Create a healthier and safer #makeup routine with these five tips. Learn more from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women’s Health. (Link image to www.FDA.gov/CollegeWomen)

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Catch the most Z’s and stay focused this school year with these 8 tips. Learn more from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women’s Health. (Link image to www.FDA.gov/CollegeWomen)

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Flyers Print and distribute these flyers around campus.

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