Sending Your "Baby" Off to College by Mark B. Levin, M.D. The Pediatric Group, P.A., Princeton

This is the eighteenth article in a series written for Princeton Online. Click here for an archive of other articles.

Sending children off to a residential college is always an exciting and stressful time for a family. The student is eager for independence, but anxious about the future educational and social challenges. News media present daily reminders of the risks of independent life for the inexperienced. Parents, having experienced "leaving the nest", are mindful of these challenges and must face giving up the direct support (social, not financial!) they have offered for the last 18 years.

Health-related issues that impact social function, such as body rhythms, sleep, nutrition, exercise and illnesses are worth explaining to college-bound students. Resetting one's internal clock can take time--we have all experienced the week of torment trying to adjust to a new "internal time clock" with each Spring/Fall clock change for Daylight Savings Time. Those who travel across time zones experience similar trials. When college students sleep later on some days than others due to later first classes, they are changing their internal time clock regularly, with consequent drowsiness, mental fogginess, poor concentration and irritability. This may adversely affect on academic performance.

Similarly, giving in to the temptation to vary bedtimes disrupts sleep with the same consequences. College offers myriad social (theater performances, sports events, social gatherings) and academic (seminars, research) experiences in the evenings. If a student gets work done during his or her free periods during the day (time management is a difficult skill for many of us to master), a more consistent sleep schedule is possible. Unlike high school teachers, college professors are often unwilling to postpone an assignment. Having all work done in "real time" enhances preparation for that surprise math exam announced for the same day as the due date for a 10 page psychology paper.

Nutrition, i.e., a balanced diet, is important, but schedules sometimes preclude going to the cafeteria for a healthy meal. Having classes scheduled at the same time the cafeteria is open or experiencing the "munchies" that accompany late night studies, tempts the student to frequent the 24-hour fast food facilities and vending machines found on or near many campuses. Unfortunately, these foods are usually low in nutrition and high in salt, fat and calorie content, contributing to the first year weight gain known as the "freshman 15". A small refrigerator that many colleges allow a student to have in their dorm room is a convenient place to store yogurt or fruit brought back from breakfast for future healthful consumption.

Despite a busy schedule, we recommend that a college student incorporate a daily dose of exercise into their routine. Not only does the exercise enhance fitness at a time when many students assume a more sedentary life style due to the rigors of academic challenges, but it affords an opportunity for the student to organize his or her thoughts and relieve stress. Without Mom or Dad being right there to discuss things, students must make decisions alone. Email, toll free numbers and phone cards certainly have enhanced communication, but these methods still entail a delay in response time compared to face-to face communication.

Unfortunately, temptations, such as drugs and alcohol, are available on campuses. While we all worry that our child's independent decisions will not reflect the teaching and preaching we and teachers have provided over the middle and high school years, resist the temptation to get in one last lecture before they leave your nest. Dwelling on sexually transmitted diseases, drugs, alcohol and automobile accidents--all information they have heard repeatedly-- will only make them more anxious to fly the coup. Rather, express to them the fact that you know they know all the information regarding these topics, that it would not have been presented so consistently if it were not serious and that you trust them to make the right decisions. After all, it is out of your hands now anyhow. Tell them if they have questions or concerns, whether about somatic or social issues or about condoms or drugs, they can confide in you or call/email their doctor--even from school-- to get the information they need. Once they turn 18 years old, the information they give to their doctor, even if you are paying the bills, is legally confidential. It cannot be shared with you or anyone else without the their permission. Many pediatricians are happy to continue to care for the student until age 21 or the end of college.

Somatic concerns are, of course, not always medically serious. Whether your child is at a domestic or foreign school, student health services are usually available on or near the campus. For a minor sore throat or headache, these services are certainly adequate. Unfortunately, some are less well equipped to handle significant medical problems than others. For conditions where x-rays or surgery are recommended, a quick telephone consultation with your pediatrician is wise to assure appropriate decisions. If a consulting examination is required, your pediatrician can often recommend a way to find a reliable physician near school. If your child is traveling out of the country, whether it is for school or vacation, check with your pediatrician well in advance regarding the need for supplemental immunizations.

With your blessing and the education you have already given your child, his or her college years will be a positive and productive experience he or she will remember for a lifetime.

All rights reserved, © The Pediatric Group, P.A. July, 1999

Dr. Mark B. Levin 

Dr. Levin has been a member of the staff at The Pediatric Group since 1977. Currently an attending Pediatrician at the Medical Center at Princeton, he has been Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Center at Princeton, 1984 to 1986, 1989 to 1992, and past President, Medical and Dental Staff, Medical Center at Princeton, 1987 to 1988. Dr. Levin has served on numerous Departmental and hospital committees. He has published original articles both while at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse and at The Pediatric Group. He has a wife and three children. Dr. Levin enjoys alpine skiing, jogging, hiking and camping, travel, computers and racquetball.