Health Care for College Students

I'll be leaving for college soon. What do I do if I get sick?

Keeping yourself healthy is the best way to avoid getting sick. Three important things you can do are rest, eat well, and exercise.

Rest. Don't skimp on rest!Too little sleep can cause some serious problems, like:

So, be sure to get about 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night whenever you can.

Eat well. Vending machine food or fast-food may be quick and cheap when you are busy and on a budget but eating well is important. Try to remember to

It is possible to eat a healthy vegetarian diet at college. However, this may require some additional planning to
make sure you get all the nutrients you need.

Exercise. An important part of staying healthy is getting enough exercise. There are 3 basic types of exercise, and ideally everyone should do all 3.

Don't have time to work out? There are many ways to sneak exercise into your day. Like instead of driving or taking the bus to class, try walking or riding a bike. If you are not used to exercising or if you have a chronic health problem, talk with your pediatrician or the student health service before starting an exercise program.

Health care on campus

If you are going to live on campus, check to see if your school has a student health service. It’s a place you can go for medical care, advice, information, and counseling. Student health services are usually well-staffed with a variety of health professionals. They also know pediatricians and other physicians in the area in case you need additional care.

Remember

Even though you’re in college your pediatrician still cares about your health. You can call your pediatrician any time you have questions. If you live nearby you can continue to make appointments, or come in when you are home on break. You may even want to see your pediatrician for a physical before you start school (your school might actually require it).