Looking forward to college? Pack your first aid kit!
Graduation from high school is not the end of the educational road for a great many young people. It's so exciting to look forward to new adventures, new friends, new surroundings, and that first taste of freedom! But for those going on to college, it's not too early to start thinking about what health care items you may want to include in your dorm room's first aid kit. It's better to prepare now, so there will be one less task on your list when the time comes to pack up and head for your new alma mater.
First, there are the obvious choices - acetaminophen or aspirin for mild aches and pains, perhaps some ibuprofen for sprains or stronger aches, sinus or allergy medications if you are prone to need these, and of course band aids. You'll probably want an antibiotic ointment to go along with them, as a band-aid alone won't prevent an infection. I like triple-antibiotic ointments best, as they cover more types of germs than a single antibiotic cream might. And of course, if you take any medication regularly, be sure to take along an adequate supply. If you're going far afield, you'll need to check with the college and see if they have an on (or near)-campus pharmacy. Get your MD to call in your prescriptions to them, so you will have an account already set up when you arrive, and your meds will be waiting for you. It's a real drag to be hundreds of miles from home without the medication you need. Same thing for eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions. Ask the optometrist to write out a prescription for your lenses, so you will have it with you, should they get lost, torn or broken. You don't want to be stumbling along the hallways or squinting to read the board just because your contacts got trashed at a party the night before (not that any 'Diva Darling' would ever behave in an unlady-like manner!) Getting yourself established before you move in will make life easier down the road.
What about college food? It's generally not known to be haute cuisine, and late nights of studying with nothing to eat but cold pizza can really upset your stomach. Best to take along something for nausea, diarrhea and constipation. You may also find the air-handling system in the dorm is not as efficient as back home, causing eye and throat irritation. Eye drops will help freshen your dry peepers, and get the red out after pulling all-night cram sessions before exams. A little table salt in warm water makes a wonderfully soothing gargle, or you can take along your favorite brand, but do take something.
A few other suggestions: disinfecting wipes galore, for use around campus and in your dorm, will help keep others' germs from making you sick. A big bottle of chewable vitamin C can give a stressed-out immune system a boost (lots of people means lots of cold and flu bugs floating around). Your favorite non-drowsy OTC cough syrup is a good thing to have handy, and maybe a little bottle of melatonin for nights when you want to sleep but can't - like the night before you have to make an oral presentation to the entire class! You may also find mosquito repellent useful, depending on where you are living, and poison ivy preparations too.
If you start building your cache now, and add to it as you go along, you'll have everything you need to stay healthy while you're away from home, expanding your mind and shrinking your parents' bank account!
Nancy Miller, RN, BA Psych, CHyT
Nancy Miller got her RN degree in 1975 and went on to earn a BA in Humanistic Psychology from Goucher College in 2002. She's also a certified hypnotherapist and an ordained minister. Nancy is the mother of one child, her 24 year old son Eric, of whom she is extremely proud.
Looking for more Nurse Nancy?
Read her column How Green is Your Toychest?.
