College may be the first time you’re managing ulcerative colitis (UC) on your own. Finding a doctor near you and building a support system can help you navigate the condition at school.
Going off to college means having to think about choosing classes, making new friends, and learning how to navigate around campus. If you have UC, you may also need to figure out how to manage the condition away from home.
Many colleges have programs to help students with conditions like UC. Still, it helps to make some plans before you leave for school. Following these seven tips can ensure you have a smooth transition to college.
Because many students have health conditions, colleges often have programs in place to help. Having the right support services and accommodations can make going to college with UC less stressful.
These may include such things as:
- a flexible schedule with days off from class when your symptoms flare up
- a special UC-friendly meal plan
- extra time to turn in assignments and take exams
- a private room and bathroom or a kitchen where you can make your own meals
- rides to and from classes
Before classes start, meet with a staff member from your school’s Disabilities Service office. You may want to bring a letter from your doctor or gastroenterologist to explain why you need these accommodations.
It also helps to tell your professors that you have UC. That way, they’ll understand if you need to miss a class or turn in an assignment late.
Your college may require you to have health insurance. If you’re already on your parents’ plan, you can stay on it until you turn 26.
If not, you can sign up for an insurance plan at your school or through the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace. Find out what your plan covers and how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket for doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescriptions while you’re at school.
Going away to college may mean leaving the doctor who has been treating your UC. You can still see your doctor when you’re home on breaks, but it helps to also have a GI specialist to manage your care and refill prescriptions at school.
Set up a meeting with the new doctor before you get to campus. It can sometimes take weeks or months to get an appointment. At the first visit, go over your medical history, medications, and recent test results. Also, get familiar with the health services that are available on campus.
College life can be busy, but try not to neglect your healthcare. Put checkups, colonoscopies, and other medical visits on your calendar so you won’t forget them.
Your family and friends at home probably know all about your UC, but you’re about to meet a whole new group of people. Being open about your condition can be hard. While you don’t have to tell everyone you meet that you have UC, letting a few key people know can be helpful.
Explaining UC to your roommates will help them understand why you may eat different foods or sometimes need the bathroom right away. Sharing your condition with a few friends you trust means you’ll always have someone to talk with when your symptoms flare up or when you feel stressed.
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Diet is an important part of managing UC symptoms. The switch from home-cooked meals to dining hall food could lead to symptom flare-ups. Your doctor or a dietitian can give you nutrition advice before you leave for school.
Colleges offer many different meal plans. Choose the one that best fits your needs. Ask the dining hall manager if they can accommodate any food allergies or restrictions you have.
You may want to keep a supply of IBD-friendly foods and snacks in your dorm room. If you’re allowed to have a mini-fridge or microwave in your room, you may also be able to prepare some meals yourself.
Get to know the location of bathrooms on and around campus. Apps like SitorSquat, Flush, and Bathroom Scout can help you find the nearest public restroom. Carry around an extra change of clothes, wipes, toilet paper, and anything else you might need in an emergency.
Parties and dating are big parts of college life. They aren’t off-limits just because you have UC. In fact, having a social life can be good for your mental health.
You may need to be more careful about what you drink and eat when you’re at parties or out with friends. Alcohol can trigger symptom flares and interact with some of the medications that treat UC. Ask your doctor whether you can drink, and if so, how much alcohol is safe.
Check the menu before you go out to eat. If the restaurant doesn’t have anything you can eat, you might call ahead to see if the chef can make something custom for you. Or ask your friends if you can go somewhere else.
Navigating sex and relationships with IBD can be tricky. Some people will be more accepting of UC and everything that goes with it than others.
It’s up to you whether or when to tell a new partner that you have UC. You can get the conversation out of the way early or wait until you know the person better. You may have to reveal something about your condition if you eat out or you’re dealing with symptoms during a flare.
College life can be stressful for anyone. Having UC could amp up the stress level even more. It’s important to care for your physical and mental health while you’re at school.
Do things that make you feel good. Take walks. Practice yoga. Listen to music. Spend time with friends. And if you feel stressed or overwhelmed, you may want to see a therapist or counselor for advice.