Starting college is a major life change. You’re adjusting to new classes, new friends and new routines. If you have ADHD, anxiety or a chronic health condition, you'll also need to manage your health in a new way. This includes medications, appointments, accommodations, insurance and daily routines, all of which will move from your home to the college campus.
Your first semester isn’t the time to figure everything out as you go. Small mistakes, like missing a medication refill, not knowing how to get accommodations or where to get health care can add to your stress when you are already busy.
Planning ahead before you move into college can help you stay healthy and avoid problems. Use this college health checklist to get ready for a smooth first semester.
Step 1: Connect with campus support before you arrive
If you had a 504 Plan or IEP in high school, those accommodations don’t automatically carry over to college.
“Before classes start, reach out to the academic resource center to find out how to keep receiving your accommodations. Don’t wait until you need them,” said Mari Ricker, MD, a family medicine physician and integrative medicine physician with Banner - University Medicine. “Many schools have counseling, primary care and psychiatry services on campus.”
Common college accommodations include:
- Extra time on exams
- Reduced-distraction testing
- Note-taking support
- Flexible attendance policies (when appropriate)
- Priority registration
Before coming to campus, do these things:
- Contact the campus disability or academic resource office to transfer your high school accommodations.
- Register with the campus student health center.
- Find out if the school has on-campus counseling or psychiatry and how to make an appointment.
- Look for nearby off-campus providers if you need specialists or other services not offered on campus
Step 2: Build a medication and prescription plan
Medication problems are common and preventable issues that students face during their first semester. The main problem is some prescriptions can’t cross state lines.
“Some medications can’t be sent to pharmacies from out of state,” Dr. Ricker said. “If you’ll be gone for the whole semester, make sure you have a way to get your prescriptions refilled in your new location or plan to return home for refills.”
This is especially important for controlled substances like ADHD stimulants or certain anxiety medications, which have stricter rules for prescribing.
Medication checklist:
- Confirm which medications need an in-person visit to prescribe and if your current provider can prescribe across state lines.
- Find a provider near campus who can prescribe, if needed.
- Make sure to have enough medication to last the first few months.
- Find a pharmacy near campus and transfer your prescriptions.
- Store your medications safely in the dorm, using a lockbox for controlled substances.
Step 3: Know your personal health history
You don’t need your entire medical chart but you should know your main health information. Before leaving, make sure you understand the basics.
Health information to have ready (in your phone or on paper):
- Current health conditions
- Medications
- Drug allergies
- Past surgeries or hospitalizations
- Health conditions that run in your family (parents and siblings)
- Vaccination history (especially tetanus)
- Health insurance details (take a picture of the card front and back)
- Primary care and specialist contact information
- Emergency contacts
If you are 18 or older, ask a parent or trusted adult to sign a health care power of attorney. Once you turn 18, doctors and hospitals cannot share your health information with your family without your written permission, even in an emergency.
Step 4: Know where and when to get help
One of the biggest challenges for new college students is knowing where to go when they feel sick or overwhelmed.
Most campuses have student health services that can provide:
- Basic care for illnesses and injuries
- Mental health counseling and support services
- Help with medications
- Referrals to specialists
“Student health services usually take care of most students' needs and can refer them to specialists, if needed," said Dr. Ricker. “But it’s good to remember they might have limited hours, so having a backup plan can be helpful.”
[Also read: How to Get the Most Out of Your Student Health Services.]
Other options for health care services
Off-campus providers:
- More complex medication management
- Chronic condition follow-up needing specialists
Behavioral health may help with:
- Anxiety, depression or panic symptoms
- Therapy support
- Medication management
- Transition stress
- Crisis planning
Urgent care can help with same-day issues:
- Infections
- Minor injuries
- When student health services are closed
ER may be needed when:
- Symptoms are severe, sudden or worsening
- Breathing is difficult
- There is chest pain
- There is a severe allergic reaction
- There are thoughts of self-harm
- There are severe injuries, fainting, confusion or uncontrolled symptoms
Step 5: Build routines that support your health
College life can quickly affect routines. Building habits early helps stabilize focus, mood and energy. Dr. Ricker shared these tips:
- Sleep: Your body needs sleep to help your brain, immune system and overall health. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Avoid staying up all night when you can. During stressful weeks, make rest a priority.
- Digital boundaries: Phones and social media can cause stress and make it harder to sleep well. Set limits on your screen time. Try not to scroll endlessly as your main way of coping.
- Nutrition: Small changes can improve your brain and energy. Try to eat more fruits and vegetables. Cut back on energy drinks and soda.
- Movement: Physical activity supports both mental and physical health. Walk between classes, try fitness classes or intramurals and pick activities you enjoy.
- Relationships: Connecting with others is good for mental health. Keep in touch with family and friends from home but try to make new friends, too. “Don’t be fooled by social media highlights," Dr. Ricker said. “Everyone feels lonely on campus. Say hi to new people, make plans and invite others to do things.”
- Stress tools: Create a simple toolkit. Practice deep breathing and mindfulness, write in a journal, exercise regularly and talk with someone you trust.
A note for parents: Support independence, don’t take over
This change affects both students and parents.
“Students are becoming more independent but they may not have all the life skills they need quite yet,” Dr. Ricker said. “Helping them learn those skills is better than doing everything for them.”
Encouraging independence helps your child gain confidence in taking care of their health over time. Here are some helpful parenting tips:
- Help them gather records and insurance information
- Practice appointment scheduling together
- Let students manage refills with support
- Encourage problem-solving instead of fixing everything
- Stay available but not controlling
[Also read: Lawnmower Parenting: When Helping Your Child Too Much Can Hold Them Back.]
Warning signs to watch for
Some stress is normal. But certain changes signal a need for support.
Watch for:
- Missing classes regularly
- Withdrawing from friends
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Skipping meals or poor self-care
- Increased anxiety or sadness
- Difficulty handling daily tasks
Contact student health services or a mental health professional for help. Most schools have crisis lines and walk-in counseling. If you see or experience signs of suicide or self-harm, text or call 988.
Bottom line
The first semester of college can be a big change, especially for students with ADHD, anxiety or ongoing health problems. Planning ahead before moving in can help prevent missed medication doses and gaps in care or support. Students should know their medications, insurance details, campus resources, local health care options and warning signs to watch for before they become overwhelmed or get sick.
Frequently asked questions
What should college students with ADHD do before moving in?
They should refill their medication, understand the rules for refills, set reminders, contact disability services if they need special help and find local or campus care options.
Can college students get help for anxiety or ADHD?
Yes, many students qualify. They usually need to provide paperwork and should work with the college’s disability services office.
Should students find a doctor near campus?
Students with ongoing health issues, daily medications or special care needs might benefit from having a primary care doctor, behavioral health or other specialists nearby.
What health records should students bring to college?
Students should carry their insurance card, a list of medications, allergies, immunization records, contact information for their health providers and a short medical history.
When should a college student seek urgent or emergency care?
Seek urgent help for severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing, chest pain, a serious allergic reaction, fainting, confusion, serious injuries or thoughts of self-harm.
What if I run out of medication at college?
Contact your doctor or campus health center right away. Some medications require a local prescription, so planning ahead is important if you go to college out-of-state.
How can I tell if my child is having trouble in college?
Warning signs include missing classes, withdrawing from friends, changes in sleep patterns and difficulty managing daily routines.
