Written by Dr. Avani Gandhi, this post offers a checklist for parents preparing to send a teen off to college.
Suggestions include: scheduling a dental cleaning around the school's break schedule; getting a pre-departure physical exam; filling prescription medications for the semester or setting up mail delivery to the new address; starting annual dermatology skin checks; and packing a first-aid kit with aspirin, antacids, vitamins, anti-diarrheal medicine, adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, and cough drops.
On move-in day, the post suggests locating fire and emergency exits and, for dorm residents, introducing the family to the resident advisor.
Other tips: visit the campus medical office together so the student knows where it is; walk the route to classes ahead of time to ease first-day nerves; find the on-campus counseling office and normalize having mixed feelings about the transition; find the tutoring center for academic support; and locate the nearest grocery store and a 24-hour pharmacy.