“I’m Going Off to College!!
But wait, does the Crohn’s have to come with me?!”
For most people, the answer is probably “yes.” But the good news is that there are things you can do right now and throughout college to keep IBD from running the game…
You’ll quickly learn that a call from these people is usually a bad thing; you either forgot to take a required class or your RA wrote you up for the food fight in the dining hall (hey, if you can’t eat it, you might as well throw it!). But surprisingly, they can also be an invaluable resource.
The Dean of Students is typically where you’ll find “disability services.” Yes, it’s a terrible name – you don’t feel disabled, you don’t look disabled, and you don’t even fit the definition… but sometime during college you may need an extra hand, and that’s what they’re there for. The last thing you want to worry about is whether your professor will be okay with you missing a test to run home for a doctor’s appointment.
It usually takes one doctor’s note explaining that you have IBD. Then, the dean will probably want to meet you and find out what they can do to accommodate you. Surprisingly, they’ve already helped so many kids with IBD that you probably won’t have much explaining to do! Often, they can offer you special dorm accommodations like private bathrooms. During difficult times, they can even offer you a “medical underload” if you find that handling a major flare-up and full academic schedule is a little too much.
The best thing about establishing a relationship with the Dean of Disabilities is how easy it makes those times when you have to miss class, especially for those of us who don’t like telling everyone about Crohn’s or UC. If an emergency arises, you can notify the dean and they’ll send a letter to all your professors asking them to help you make up the material and/or reschedule tests. The best part is that they don’t release your medical information, but rather inform your professors that your excuse is valid. So, the bottom line is that if you locate this one important person, you may save yourself a lot of trouble and can avoid explaining yourself to professors you hardly know.
Save yourself time – don’t go here when you’re having a flare up. The professionals working in Student Health are generally not Gastroenterologists and do not deal with IBD on a day-to-day basis. They’re great for routine checkups and things like allergies and flu shots. But, don’t cut off your relationships with a GI Specialist; either keep in touch with your doctors at home or find a new one closer .
This is where your creativity will really be tested. School cafeterias somehow manage to turn token “safe foods,” like pasta or eggs, into disasters. Consequently, your diet may become increasingly bland, as you inadvertently exclude everything that’s potentially catastrophic.
I’d recommend mixing French fries, dry noodles, and ketchup together. But after two days of that, you may benefit from learning how to cook! (This will also be a valuable tool in making friends :) ) Make sure to request a dormitory with a useable kitchen . Catch a bus to the grocery store and buy everything that you loved to eat at home. You can usually have a mini-fridge and microwave in your dorm room, so perishables shouldn’t be a problem. Remember, your parents are no longer with you to nag you about what you’re eating so everything’s up to you! Ask your doctor if you have questions about nutrition.