5 HEALTH TIPS FOR YOUR COLLEGE FRESHMAN

All across the country, parents are dropping off their college freshmen, on their own in the world for the first time. It doesn’t have to be as scary as you might think. Here are five health tips to discuss with your freshman before dropping him off at college.

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Diet

So mom isn’t cooking for you anymore, and you suddenly have a world of food possibilities at the dining hall. Meatball subs (with a stop at the dessert bar) for dinner every night? Cheeseburgers and fries for lunch all the time? Sure, why not! No one is going to stop you (provided you have enough money in your meal account.)

Not every new college student gains the “freshman 15,” but most do gain some weight. So make sure your freshman knows to practice moderation and add some salads into the rotation.

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Health facility location

If you’re sick, it will be important to know the location of the nearest campus health clinic. That’s where you’ll want to head if you need a checkup or are feeling really sick. (And make sure you bring your insurance info with you from home. Your parents probably handled that while you were in high school, so this will be a new experience.)

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Prescriptions

If you’re taking a prescription, make sure you bring your medication with you to college. And don’t forget to make sure it’s up-to-date with refills so you’re not caught in a pinch on campus.

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Stress

The workload of college is going to be more excruciating than what students experienced in high school. Students must also deal with being away from home and managing their lives on their own. That freedom — and the associated choices — can lead to a lot of stress.

To avoid stress, kids should get enough sleep (easier said than done) and avoid procrastinating on their schoolwork. They should know that they aren’t alone and have somebody to talk to. (Mom and Dad are only a phone call/text/FaceTime away now.) Most schools also offer counseling and student support centers, so make sure you’re aware of those resources.

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Showering

A communal shower is in the cards at most colleges. The warm, moist environment of a college shower is ripe for the proliferation of fungi. And you don’t want to catch athlete’s foot, a plantar wart or onychomycosis (that’s where your toenails turn hard and yellow. Yuck!) To avoid getting funky feet, just grab a pair of shower sandals. Bustle came up with “cute” options here.