Every year, thousands of students head off to college as freshmen. It's an exciting time filled with promise and new experiences. But as your teen transitions into young adulthood, it's not uncommon for them to neglect things you usually looked after. Staying healthy the first year of college is nothing short of challenging. In addition to having less time to prepare home cooked meals, the temptation of eating out with new friends often leads to the dreaded freshman weight gain. Even though most college campuses offer health and wellness services, it's still important to help your son or daughter stay as healthy as possible.
Prep in Advance
One of the best ways to help your son or daughter stay healthy is by planning in advance. In addition to buying all the things they want for their dorm room, you should also invest in small appliances they can use in their dorm room. There are plenty of counter-top sized ones you can buy, which makes cooking healthier meals faster and easier. At this point, you might be wondering how you can afford to buy everything your child needs. You could use money that you've saved up, or you could think about getting a low-rate private parent loan. These are college loans for parents who want to help their children pay for their education and all the other necessities that go along with it. That way, you can be sure they have everything they need to eat well, even when they're away from home.
Update Vaccinations
Your child may also need to update or be vaccinated to begin school. Most campuses require students to be vaccinated against meningitis and COVID. That said, it's always best to check with the college administrators before the first day of class. If you have religious exemption, you also need to discuss that in advance as well.
Encourage Proper Sleep Habits
At one time or another, your child will end up pulling an all-nighter to cram for an exam or finish a paper they dragged their feet on. While this is okay occasionally, they shouldn't make a habit out of it. Not getting enough sleep can result in poor academic performance and even increase the risk of accidents. If they have trouble staying on track, they can reach out to their advisor for help.
Talk About Drinking and Drug Use
No one wants to think about their child giving into peer pressure. Unfortunately, it does happen, especially during the first year of college. That's why you need to have an honest conversation about the risks of drinking and using recreational drugs. While you understand how important it is to fit in, it's even more important to walk away from drugs and alcohol. If they're ever in a situation where they feel pressured, let them know that you're there for them. Just avoid scolding or chastising them if they make a mistake. They'll probably feel bad enough and will need your support.
Encourage Regular Exercise
Everyone needs to get regular exercise, so even if they live in on campus, encourage them to work out. They can join an exercise class on campus, online, or even do body weight exercises in their dorm room. Even taking a 30-minute walk each day can do wonders to boost their cardiovascular health and mood.
Sexual Health
Like the conversation you had about alcohol or drugs, you need to talk about sexual health as well. Whether they choose to abstain is up to them, however, they do need to be protected against both sexually transmitted diseases and the possibility of pregnancy. If they do engage, encourage them to use contraception. The school campus typically offers free counseling and forms of birth control.
