Allergies at the College or University Level
Post-secondary Education and Living with Allergens Away From Home
Aug 15, 2009
Being more independent in a new environment will require that the allergic student take full responsibility for managing her allergy. It will be much safer to be open about the condition and ask plenty of questions, even if it raises irritation in others. It can be a matter of life or death.
It will be essential that the allergic student carry some form of medical identification and medication at all times and make them easily accessible.
If the allergic student will be living in a new town, it will also be important for the her to locate a medical expert to provide medical supervision. The former physician may be able to make a recommendation.
Class Environment of an Allergic Student at College
There are proactive things that the allergic student can do to make classes safer:
- The allergic student can provide a medical letter to instructors or administrators for information purposes and ask that classmates comply with any requests, such as refraining from eating certain foods or wearing scents.
- If possible, the allergic student can set up a "buddy" system such as those used in the middle or high school setting.
- Even though young adults do not like to be labeled as different, the more people who know about an allergy, the more people there will be to help in an emergency.
Living Arrangements for an Allergic Student at College
There are things that the allergic student can do to make living arrangements safer:
- Some students opt to live alone off campus in an apartment, or with other allergic individuals, so as to better control food preparation.
- If living on campus, the student can contact the college ahead of time to find out if there are any policies in place for people with allergies. It is becoming more common as the incidence of allergies increases.
- If possible, a private room in the dorm can be requested.
- It is important for the allergic student to find out what the campus procedure for emergency services is and keep phone numbers in a quickly accessible place.
- It is better for the allergic student to be open and up-front about the allergy. Informing roommates can provide additional support in an emergency.
Dining Arrangements for an Allergic Student at College
There are things that the allergic student can do to make dining safer:
- If allowed, the allergic student can furnish her dorm room with a small fridge and microwave oven to help with control over meals.
- Contacting the food services ahead of time to check out any food policies for allergies will help with making safe dining arrangements.
Living independently to attend a college or university can be a scary idea. However, allergies are becoming more common and, as a result, more institutions are making accommodations for students. Planning ahead and asking questions will make a huge difference in what kind of experience college becomes.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for information purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical attention and supervision.
Sources:
Website: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 2007. Visited August 12, 2009.
Website: The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, 2009. Visited August 12, 2009.
Ehrlich, Paul M. Teen’s Guides: Living with Allergies. New York: Checkmark Books, 2009.
For other article about allergies and school see Allergies at the Elementary School Level, Allergies at the Middle and High School Levels and Allergic Children and Sunday School Classes.
 |
