Introduction: Self-medication is a health problem, especially in students who live in university residences. Objective: To characterize self-medication in students from a university dorm in the city of Chillán, Chile. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive study. The sample was non-probabilistic and it was formed by 102 students that represented the 68 % of the sample group. In order to evaluate self-medication and its characteristics, a tool was created based on the literature, which was validated by experts and a pilot test. Results: There was a self-medication’s prevalence of 81,2 %. The main causes for doing it have to do with that they do not consider necessary to consult a doctor (46 %); if the symptomatology persists, 56 % of them go to the doctor. The acquisition of medicines comes mainly from pharmacies (63 %) and the sources of behavior’s promotion are led by relatives (51%) and friends (47,6 %). The more frequent symptoms reported were: headaches, flu and inflammation, which were preferably treated by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The 80 % considered that self-medication is a risky practice; nevertheless, 64 % have sometimes recommended a medicine and 46 % of them have a medicine’s stock at home. Conclusions: Self-medication establishes a way of self-care that should be focused jointly by all participating entities to minimize the potential associated risks.