It’s a surreal moment- you are sending your child off to college for the first time. And with this moment comes a feeling of being completely overwhelmed by the “to-do” lists you keep hearing other parents talk (or, lament) about: dorm furnishings, snacks, school supplies, etc. But none of these things matter if your child isn’t prepared to care for their health while they’re away at school.

“The most important ‘to-do’ list to tackle, is the health related one,” says Joseline Chummar, MD, board-certified family medicine physician at Highland Medical, Clarkstown Medical Associates. “You want to make your child feel empowered and independent. Giving them to tools and information they need to take care of themselves sets a foundation for a successful semester and beyond.”

What should be on this list? Here are some of the items The Academy of Pediatrics recommends:

• Connect with your pediatrician’s office. Inquire about telehealth services, if your child needs to refill a prescription or have a mental health check in with their doctor.
• Make sure your child knows where to receive care. On move-in day, identify where the health center is and ask about urgent care locations.
• If you haven’t already, have “the talk.” Sex, drugs, and alcohol can be more accessible at college. Establish expectations and make it clear: while you’re not physically there, you’re always a phone call away in case they want to ask questions or share an experience.
• Pack an emergency kit. Flashlight, non-perishable food items, water, and a first aid kit can be stored in a safe place in the dorm room and accessed in case of a snowstorm or other situations where they have to stay in their dorm room.

For more tips on preparing for freshman year, visit www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/young-adult/Pages/Healthy-Tips-for-the-College-Freshman.aspx