Before the big send off, Dr. Marks stresses that parents need to reiterate to their teens the importance of staying on top of their health. She offers this checklist:

1. Be Aware - Make sure they know their own medical history (allergies, illnesses, medications, etc.) and significant family medical history.

2. Be Proactive - Encourage your child to utilize student health services and also keep in touch with their doctor back home.

3. Be Responsible – Review the symptoms when a simple cold may develop into a more serious infection such as sinusitis, pneumonia, mononucleosis.

4. Stay on Schedule – Encourage them to get plenty of sleep and to keep similar hours as in high school.

5. Stay Healthy - Remind them to eat at least three healthy meals per day and attempt to maintain a healthy pre-college weight.

6. Don’t Stress It – Let them know that the first year of college is generally stressful while adjusting to so many changes, but serious depression and/or anxiety may require professional help.

7. Get Fit - Encourage regular exercise, especially since there is ample time for this and often excellent and free facilities.

8. Don’t Party Too Hard - Advise them that excessive use of alcohol and/or any use of drugs is dangerous, and could lead to unwanted sexual encounters and/or violence.

9. Adjusting - Encourage your child to be patient in finding good friends, mastering homesickness, and learning to manage their time....it often takes a full year to adjust to college life.