Students are being urged to prioritise their health as the new academic year begins.

The advice from NHS 24, tailored for students, can be found on NHS inform, Scotland's online health information service.

It gives students many of who will be living away from home for the first time all the practical information they need to access health services.

This includes guidance on registering for primary care services, vaccinations, finding local NHS services, and mental health.

Dr Siama Latif, associate medical director at NHS 24, said: "The transition to university life can be an exciting time, but it also comes with new challenges, including being responsible for managing your own health.

"NHS 24’s student health campaign promotes specific actions that students should take to ensure they stay as healthy as possible during their time at university, along with the knowledge on how to access health and care services should they need them."

Among the health tips for students, NHS 24 advises registering with a local GP and dentist.

They stress the importance of not waiting until illness strikes to register, as this could delay access to necessary care.

They also encourage students to check their vaccination status, especially as mixing with new people in university environments can increase the risk of infectious diseases.

Students are advised to familiarise themselves with nearby NHS services, including emergency departments, minor injury units, pharmacies, and sexual health clinics.

For mental health support, students are urged not to hesitate in reaching out if feeling overwhelmed.

Dr Latif added: "If you need health advice while at university, it’s important to be aware that both NHS inform and the NHS 24 Online app are excellent places to access free and trusted health information.

"Both resources have handy symptom checkers that provide advice on how to safely manage minor illnesses and conditions, and they can also help with locating NHS services in your area."