A Summer
Wellness Checklist
The coming summer months are the perfect time to help your student develop healthier habits that they can carry back with them to college in the fall. Find information about many of these topics — along with conversation tips — in the Wellness category on CollegiateParent.com. Schedule check-ups. Doctor, dentist, eyes, any specialists your student should see regularly. If your student doesn’t already make their own appointments, here’s a chance to teach them how. Review health insurance coverage, too.
Complete a HIPAA form (if you don’t already have one on file). This allows you to be part of health conversations and decisions with your student’s medical providers.
Teach healthy nutrition and basic cooking skills. Whether your student lived on or off campus this year, they may have relied heavily on fast food deliveries and snacks. Show them how to shop for and prepare a few easy, healthy meals.
Talk about substance use. Many students use and misuse alcohol, drugs, caffeine and nicotine. Vaping (Juuling), “energy drinks” and other unhealthy behaviors can become problems before students know it. Keep your eyes open, and don’t be afraid to ask what they’ve experimented with or may be using on a regular basis.
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Support sexual health and healthy relationships. This is another topic that can be sensitive or awkward to bring up, but it’s so important to talk about.
Develop new fitness routines. With gyms closed and team sports cancelled, it’s been hard for many students to engage in their preferred forms of exercise. Set some fitness goals together and help them find a fun physical activity they can keep up with when they return to campus in the fall.
Cut back on screens. Read for fun. Build something, plant something. Instead of texts and emails, handwrite letters to grandparents and friends.
Address sleep issues. Insufficient and irregular sleep can impair both mental and physical health. Summer is a great time for your student to improve their sleep routine.
Spring 2021
