As the old saying goes, ” The days are long, but the years are short.” That is especially true for families sending their kids to college this fall! This is an exciting time for parents and students but can also be a time of many changes and stress.

To help make the transition a little smoother for everyone, here are some tips for making the move to college as fun and exciting as possible.

1. Come see us for a physical and ensure all vaccines are up to date! Colleges have different vaccine requirements, but we want to ensure college students are current on meningitis, tetanus, and annual flu vaccines to keep kids as healthy as possible when they start living in the dorms. We will also make a plan for refilling any long-term medications, set up tele-visits to maintain appointments for medication rechecks, and go over any last-minute questions before the big move.
2. Make a first aid and medication kit for your student that they can easily keep in their dorm room. Standard bandages, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, allergy medications, and flu/sinus medications are good things to keep on hand. Ensure you review these medications before move-in day and verify whether any medications have interactions.
   * Many sinus/flu combination medications also contain acetaminophen ( Tylenol), so make sure students know not to use these together.*
3. Confirm that all insurance information is current and that your student has a copy of their insurance card. Look to see where the local urgent care and emergency department are located—just in case. Is there a medical clinic on campus where they can get care? Remember, we can continue to see our college students at Parkside via telehealth, but some things need to be seen in person. It’s great to have a plan ahead of time.
4. Starting college means more freedom, which can also mean more access to alcohol and drugs. Have transparent and honest conversations with your student before starting college. Set clear expectations and make a plan for students to have an easy way out of situations in which they become uncomfortable. Plan a code word or phrase your student can use to discreetly communicate with you or a trusted friend. Help your student make decisions before they are in a specific situation so it’s easier to stick with. This will help your students avoid feeling stuck, surprised, or unequipped to handle new scenarios.
5. College is a time of great excitement and significant change. Navigating “adulting” for the first time, class loads, new living situations, new cities — all of these are good things, but they can cause increased stress and anxiety. Ensure your student knows what mental health resources are available on campus or locally. Encourage them to continue to come to you when they have questions or are struggling, and provide judgment-free support.

You can always contact us here at Parkside; we can help! Our entire Parkside Behavioral Health Team and our partners at Vive Psychology are ready to serve you!