The purpose of this study was to examine sensation seeking behavior interests and preferences of students enrolled in a mid-sized Texas university. Data were gathered via a written survey administered to twelve separate classes for health, physical education, recreation and elementary majors from the summer of 2002 to 2004. Three hundred and fifty students were invited to complete the survey and approximately 94% completed it correctly. Responses were voluntary and anonymous. The survey is a variation of the 1979 instrument developed by Zuckerman. It consists of 10 demographic questions and 40 forced choice items from the Sensation Seeking Scale Version V. The 40 items assess four subscales of sensation seeking interest and preferences. The sample population consisted of 42.9% males and 57.1% females. The participants indicated their ethnicity as the following: 69.5% Caucasian, 19.4% Hispanic, 6.2% African-American, 1.7% Asian and 3.2% classified themselves as Other. Analysis of the data was completed using a two-way mixed model ANOVA by gender. The results indicated that on the total sensation seeking score males (M = 5.32, SD = 2.49) scored significantly higher than females (M = 4.73, SD = 2.68), F(1,328) =13.42, p< .01. In addition a significant difference was shown in the interaction between gender and subscale scores, F(3,984)=6.61, p< .01. Simple main effects indicate there was significant difference on two of the subscales by gender, disinhibition and boredom susceptibility. Responses indicate that 71% have tried marijuana, and that 28% would like to try some drugs that produce hallucinations, 55% feel best after taking a few drinks, and 56% indicated that keeping drinks full is the key to a good party. These results indicate preferences in some areas for unhealthy risk and a need for education and prevention centered on decision-making and the development of healthy risk taking alternatives. Further studies can help assess the sensation seeking behaviors that could be addressed in classes, through peer education, or through healthy risk taking recreation and leisure alternatives to prevent unhealthy risk taking by health, physical education and recreation majors and elementary education majors.