[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/08\/wellness-in-college\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/08\/wellness-in-college\/","headline":"Helping Your Child Maintain Wellness in College","name":"Helping Your Child Maintain Wellness in College","description":"Find essential facts for keeping your college student healthy while they're away at school. Learn how you can help them develop healthy habits--and if your health insurance changes while they're away. ","datePublished":"2018-08-06","dateModified":"2022-06-21","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/GettyImages-1069962264-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/GettyImages-1069962264-1.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/08\/wellness-in-college\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":632,"articleBody":"How to Keep Your Student Healthy Away from HomeBack-to-school season was a lot simpler when your child was little. Buying lunchboxes and tissues is nothing compared with shopping for college. It may seem like you need to rent a truck (and you might) to get all your kid\u2019s stuff to the dorm. But there\u2019s one thing you can make sure your student packs and it doesn\u2019t take up any room at all: It’s a plan for wellness in college.Making Good ChoicesCollege students are notorious for staying up late, overdoing the caffeine, and eating too much pizza. That does happen, but if you\u2019ve helped your child build good habits, you shouldn\u2019t worry too much about the occasional minor slip-up. Serious issues can present more of a challenge to maintaining their wellness in college:Before the school year begins, have a frank discussion about drugs, alcohol, and making safe choices, and make sure your student knows you\u2019re available to talk at any time.Throughout the year, remind your student about healthy habits. One surefire trick on the diet front: Send them a care package full of healthy treats!Staying Active in CollegeStaying active is a big part of healthy living and maintaining wellness in college. If your student plays a sport, either competitively or in a club, this one should be a piece of cake. If not, you and your student can explore the areas around campus and see what there is to do.Is there a gym or recreation center on campus? Pickleball courts? Intramural kickball or curling? Horseback-riding or cricket clubs? Have your student check out their school’s involvement fairs.Encourage your student to ask around and connect with like-minded peers to find a way to get some exercise every day. Some campuses are so spread out that simply walking to classes is an easy way to get in thousands of steps. For longer treks, having a bike on campus can help — but make sure to include a bike helmet.Accessing Health Care When NeededMedical care is another issue your child may be facing alone for the first time. Check out the on-campus options:Is there a student health center on campus, and what types of care does it provide?How close is the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility? How can your child get there if walking or driving isn\u2019t an option?If your child is undergoing behavioral health counseling, talk to your child\u2019s provider about the possibility of scheduling these visits via telemedicine while your child is away at college.Health Insurance for Your College StudentHealth insurance for your college student may seem complicated, but it doesn\u2019t have to be. Most insurance plans cover dependents up to age 26, including those attending school away from home. The best thing to do to ensure your child is fully covered — and the best way for them to access care — is to contact your insurer directly.Some colleges and universities may also offer student health insurance plans.\u00a0 These may be a good option if your child is not covered under your health insurance plan.What If I Have UPMC Health Plan?Whether attending school or working outside of UPMC Health Plan\u2019s primary service area, eligible dependent children (up to age 26) are covered through the UPMC Health Plan national extended network.Your child age 18 or over also can use UPMC AnywhereCare\u00a0to have a virtual urgent care visit with a health care provider. This service is best for nonemergency conditions, such as cold symptoms, allergies, or pink eye. The provider can even send a prescription to a nearby pharmacy, if necessary.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on August 6, 2018, and was last reviewed on June 21, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2018","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Helping Your Child Maintain Wellness in College","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/08\/wellness-in-college\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]