Ready for college? Not Yet!
Ask any prospective college student what’s on their mind, and you’ll get an earful. What college should I attend? How will I afford the tuition?
Can I peacefully coexist with a perfect stranger in my dorm room? What should I bring? Will I be homesick? Am I really ready?
The Rarely does your health cross your mind. The reality, though, is that you need to make your health a top priority. If you’re leaving home to attend college, this will likely be the first time you’ve ever had to be in total charge of your physical and emotional well-being.
“I think it’s not something that is immediately a consideration,” says Ruth Swisher, RN and Director of Health Services and Counseling for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. “Students are thinking about their academic pursuits and new opportunities. They’re focusing on the academic and social changes. But many times, health has not been an issue for them, ever, and family has been there to help them sort through the maze if there is an issue. We would like them to think about it, though, and help them in any way we can to get healthy for college and to stay healthy in college.”
What you do now may very well set the tone for the rest of your life. Even after college, life can be jarring, but by practicing healthy habits now, the transition will be much easier. Here are checklists for physical health, mental health and nutrition designed to help you do just that.
Physical Health• Have a complete physical before you leave for college and obtain any recommended vaccines.• Visit your dentist for a check-up and have any needed work done prior to start of the school year. • If you aren’t already in a sport at school or exercising regularly, start an exercise program. It can be as simple as walking for 30 minutes daily. You’ll do a lot more walking in college, especially if you live on campus. • Connect with a health care provider near or on your college campus before school starts. Most colleges have a health center; however, they don’t treat every condition. If you have a chronic condition such as allergies or asthma, be sure to find a nearby specialist. • For women, inquire with your current health care provider about obtaining birth control if you think you’ll be sexually active. Remember that not all forms of birth control prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. • Transfer any prescriptions to a pharmacy near campus. • Obtain copies of all health insurance cards from your parents or guardians if you’re still covered under their insurance. • Pack a first aid kit with the basics, including bandages, alcohol wipes, pain relievers and antihistamines. • Bring and use shower shoes if you’re living in a dorm or sharing a bathroom to prevent the spread of foot fungi. • Keep your room free of old food and anything that promotes the growth of bacteria. • Be mindful of communicable diseases like mononucleosis or strep. Many students living in dorms contract mono due to close living quarters and sharing food items. Also a concern for college students is meningococcal meningitis. Make sure to see your health care provider about whether or not you need a booster vaccine. Many college campuses make it a requirement for enrollment. |
Mental Health• The first step to staying mentally healthy in college is realizing how life-altering and stressful college can be, especially in the beginning. Don’t expect it to be just like high school, but with harder classes, where you can basically set your own schedule. You’re entering adulthood and change can be difficult.• Set reasonable expectations for yourself. Don’t take on too much and don’t feel like a failure if you don’t get the high marks you did in high school. It takes time to adjust. • Keep stress, and a host of other health-related problems, at bay by getting adequate sleep. Avoid staying up all night when you have classes the next morning and commit to getting at least eight hours of sleep each night. • Find healthy ways to cope with stress. Join a club, use the campus fitness room, reach out to others in your dorm or housing community. • Hydrate with water not alcohol. Speaking of alcohol, don’t feel that you have to party ’til you puke in order to be a “real” college student. Abuse of alcohol and drugs in college, while far too common, is dangerous and potentially life-threatening. • Set boundaries to remain safe. Just because you’re going to a “good college” doesn’t mean everyone you meet is safe. You can be a victim of a crime on a college campus. Acquaintance rape can and does happen on college campuses every day. Estimates are that one in 20 college women will be the victim of a sexual assault during college. Do whatever you need to do to remain safe and accept that someone you know casually or well can be a threat to your safety. • Reach out for help if you need it. Most colleges have counselors available for students experiencing emotionally tough times. Getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness. |