28 May Let’s Talk Going to College with Dr. Krista Kunz of Magnolia Pediatric Dentistry in Mt. Pleasant, SC

We know, we can’t believe it either! It seems like just yesterday they were off to kindergarten and now they are packing for college! Here are some things you can do in advance to ensure a healthy first year!

• Schedule a cleaning with our office! Getting on a Summer Break/Winter Break schedule is a great way to keep your student smiling.
• Visit the doctor for a physical exam before they go off to school to make sure nothing needs to be addressed.
• Make sure your student has any prescription medications they might need for the semester filled or set up mail delivery to their new address.
• Now is a good age to start an annual dermatology appointment! Get that skin checked after a summer in the sun.
• Pack a first aid kit that includes the following; aspirin, antacids, vitamins, antidiarrheal medicine, Adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, cough drops.
• When you move your student into their new home, walk around and find the fire and emergency exits. If they live in a dorm, introduce yourselves to the Resident Advisors! It’s always nice to know where to go if a potential problem arises.
• Visit the campus medical office with your student to make sure they know where it’s located in case they need to visit. It can be tough to find a building when you’re not feeling well!
• Walk around the campus and find their class locations to avoid getting lost on their first days of school. It can lessen anxieties and help students feel confident in where they are going.
• Find the on-campus counseling resources office! Explain that it’s normal to have a lot of feelings, positive and negative, about moving away from home and starting school. Sometimes it’s nice to have someone to talk to.
• Find the on-campus tutoring center. Those college classes can be tough and many campuses have free help from experienced students.
• Visit the nearest grocery store and 24-hour pharmacy so that they know where to go when the time comes for food and toiletries.