Going away to college doesn’t mean you leave diabetes behind.

Sometimes college is the first time teens take care of themselves. These checklists will help students prepare for the transition.

Supplies you need at college:

**Take more supplies than you think you will need to prevent running out between visits home.

• Insulin vials or pens
• Syringes or pen needles
• Testing supplies: 2 meters, strips, 2 lancet devices (in case one breaks), lancets
• Ketone testing strips (preferably foil wrapped) OR Precision Xtra blood ketone test strips and Precision Xtra meter
• Glucose tablets (in several places such as backpack, purse, jacket, locker, car, dorm room, with RA)
• Emergency contact information
• Emergency card and phone list for your dorm room
• Medical alert ID
• Insurance card
• Food for hypoglycemia: juice, regular soft drinks, crackers, cup of soup. Store this food in a safe place and let your roommate/friends know that this food is not for general consumption
• Other health supplies: thermometer, Tylenol/Ibuprofen, band-aids, first aid cream/Neosporin, cough drops/cough syrup
• Refrigerator: for keeping insulin fresh and for extra food

If you have a pump, in addition to the items above:

• Extra supplies: batteries, infusion sets and reservoirs. Plan ahead when it comes to your pump supplies. Bring double of what you think you will need.
• If you are going away to more remote locations (camping, boating, hiking) consider carrying insulin and syringes/pen needles OR a spare pump with you in case something should happen to your pump or your pump malfunctions.

People you should inform about your condition:

• Roommates
• Resident assistants and head of your residence hall
• Friends you will spend a lot of time with
• Coaches and teammates
• Professors, if you feel necessary
• School’s health center

What these people need to know:

• What diabetes is
• How to treat hypoglycemia, especially how to use glucagon
• What supplies you need and where they are kept
• The health center needs to know past history and your current diabetes regimen

Other tips to remember:

• Check blood glucose levels frequently when studying for exams or working on long projects.
• When driving long distance, stop every two hours to check your blood glucose. Be sure to have water and food with you in the vehicle.
• Always check your blood glucose before driving a motor vehicle. Pull over if you feel low and do not drive again until your blood sugar is back up. You should wait 45 minutes before driving after all hypoglycemia.
• Never give a shot or bolus and then get into the shower, bathtub, or hot tub. The increased circulation to the skin may cause the insulin to be rapidly absorbed. This may result in severe hypoglycemia.
• If you choose to consume alcohol, remember to eat something substantial. Never drink on an empty stomach. High blood glucose (first) is often followed by low blood glucose (later). Beware of mixed drinks and punch. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Get up at the usual time the next morning, test your blood glucose, eat breakfast, take insulin and then go back to bed if you are not feeling well.
• Make sure you wear a medical alert ID at ALL times. This is especially important if you are in an unfamiliar city and when you are away from your family.
• If there is going to be a time-zone change, talk to your provider for guidelines on how to adapt your schedule.
• Find out about medical waste disposal in your new city. Take a hard plastic bottle (laundry detergent bottle) for used syringes and lancets. Make sure you label this bottle to prevent injuries.