If you have now or ever had a college student in your family, you know all about the Summer B term. Summer B is the term just before the fall term. Some freshmen get a jump start by beginning in Summer B. It allows them to take a few classes and adjust to life on campus before the craziness of the full Fall semester begins.
Some Honors College students are required to take Summer B and many athletic programs require their students to be on campus for Summer B. No matter what the reason if you have a Summer B student, you have to start thinking back to school 6 weeks before the rest of the country.
So, for you Summer B crowd, let’s review the off-to-college basics.
Expect your student to get more colds. They will be living in close proximity to other people and other people’s germs. They are immune to the ones at home…this is a whole environment. Also, most college students don’t eat a proper diet and don’t get the recommended amount of rest.
All of this takes a toll on the immune system. Anytime the immune system is compromised, allergies and asthma can flare up also. So, make sure they have tissues and know what to do when they get a cold. Some college health clinics even sell a “my first cold kit” that has everything from a cup of chicken soup to tissues and cough drops!
You invested time and effort in making sure your teen’s room is free from dust mites and bed bugs. While you can’t export the entire room off to college, you can make sure they are protected. Find out in advance what size mattress the room will have. For years the standard dorm bed was a long twin, but as dorms are remodeled, many are switching to full size.
You don’t have to wonder if the mattress will be extra deep or a pillow-top…it won’t be! If you want to add some extra padding or cushion, get them an egg crate or foam topper. Be sure to put this under the zippered mattress encasing.
And speaking of zippered mattress covers, you want one that will be bed bug-proof and allergy-proof. We recommend the Bed Bug Cover for complete protection which is also inexpensive. Don’t forget to send along a zippered allergy-proof pillow cover or two. Remind them to wash the sheets weekly, but don’t be surprised when they aren’t. It is just the way it is.
If you are thinking about an air cleaner, the Austin Air HealthMate Junior is the perfect size for a dorm room. It is well built and sturdy, and even if your student graduates on the 5-year plan, they won’t need a filter change for the entire 5 years!
As the parent of a Summer B student, you get a jump on the crowd preparing for back to school. When they are going crazy in August, you can sit back and chuckle knowing that you have been there and done that!
The Allergy Store