As students across the country prepare to head to college in the fall, there are some important tasks they should complete BEFORE they go. While some may seem more trivial than others, I suggest that you subscribe to the “it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it philosophy”!
ONE: ESTABLISH OWNERSHIP OF YOUR HEALTH CARE
- Make an appointment and get a physical
- Make sure you are up to date with all of your shots
- Set up an online account with your primary care physician
- Ensure you have enough prescription refills to last the semester
TWO: ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
- Understand the breadth and scope of mental health services provided at your college
- If you see a counselor on a regular basis, check and see if they can continue seeing you remotely
- If you need to find an alternative, local counselor, identify one and set up an initial appointment
- Ensure all medications have sufficient refills to last the semester
- Solidify a plan to ensure that you remember to take meds as prescribed
- Consider regularly-scheduled check-ins with a parent or other trusted resource
THREE: PLAN YOUR DENTAL CARE
- Make an appointment to get your teeth cleaned
- Make another appointment for when you are home for the holidays
Tip: the June/December rotation can work well!
FOUR: GENERAL WELL-BEING
- Consider Taking Vitamins: College students are notorious for burning the candle at both ends!
- Exercise: Get into the habit of taking care of your physical body
- Be mindful of what you eat and drink: Pay attention to what you consume so that your mindfulness carries into freshman year
- Buy some groceries
- Learn to do your laundry. Don’t forget your sheets and towels!
FIVE: PERSONAL FINANCES
- Ensure you have a bank account
- Get a debit and/or a credit card (click HERE for Nerd Wallet’s list of best credit cards for students 2022)
- Set up Venmo for easy and free money transfers
- Get a job and earn some money
- Make a semester or year-long budget
- Males: Register with the Selective Service if you plan to receive federal student aid
SIX: LEGAL DOCUMENTS AND FORMS
- Sign a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Waiver
A FERPA Waiver to allows the college to disclose education records to the parents. While I am by no means suggesting that parents insert themselves in the college experience, signing a FERPA waiver could be helpful in the event of unforeseen circumstances
- Sign a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Authorization (HIPPA)
A HIPPA Authorization allows parents to get information about their child’s health and treatment. Just like the FERPA, it’s better to have it and not need it.
- Appoint a Health Care Proxy/Health Care Power of Attorney
A Health Care Proxy/Health Care Power of Attorney allows a parent or other designated person to make medical decisions on the child’s behalf if the child is unable to make such decisions due to being incapacitated
- Appoint a Power of Attorney
A Durable Power of Attorney provides a parent or other designated person with the authority to handle financial and legal matters on the child’s behalf if the child is incapacitated.
- Make a Living Will
A Living Will, also known as an Advance Directive, specifies the child’s preferences if they are in a persistent vegetative state, unable to communicate or otherwise incapacitated. A living will also detail preferences regarding end-of-life medical care. It may also address the child’s wishes concerning organ and tissue donation.
- Insurance: check and see if college students’ possessions are covered by homeowners insurance and consider renter’s insurance if needed
SEVEN: PLAN FOR ACADEMIC NEEDS
- If you plan to use accommodations, ensure that all documentation is < 3 years old
- Contact Disability Services and request accommodations
- Locate all sources of support you think you might need
- Make sure you have a time-management system that works for you (e.g., Google calendar, i-Cal, planner)
EIGHT: DOWNLOAD A RIDE SHARE APP
- Download Uber and/or Lyft
- Ensure that a valid and reliable form of payment is entered
NINE: RESEARCH COLLEGE MAJORS AND CAREERS
While it is not essential to know what you want to study, since college is SO expensive, it is smart to complete as much research as possible before starting classes. Click HERE for free tips and tools.
…. And of course, no 2022 to-do list would be complete without a reference to Covid
TEN: KNOW THE COVID POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
- Order some free home tests from the government by clicking HERE
- If you need a vaccine, make sure you get one
- Find out if a Covid test is required to move on to campus
For more information on all things related to the college admissions process, feel free to reach out at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com
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