Join the Discussion Have questions? Ask the Pediatrician. Pediatrics Guide     Related Resources • Immunization Schedule • Back to School    From Other Guides • Back to School Resource Center • College Life

College bound children, in addition to the routine immunization requirements, may also need a meningitis shot. Current recommendations are for college freshman, especially if they will be living in a dormitory, to receive one dose of the Meningococcal vaccine.

Topics that you should discuss with your college bound kids, and which hopefully you have already talked about many times, include binge drinking, sex education, safe sex, sexually transmitted diseases, abstinence, date rape and the availability of the morning after pill.

Another topic that has come up recently is the targeting of college age students with credit cards. These credit cards usually don't require that a student works, do not need parental approval and often come without any counseling on the importance of paying off the balance each month, how the interest rate works or the dangers of building up a big balance. Although a credit card is very convenient for students in college, educate your children about how they work and consider getting a card with a small credit limit, a monthly spending cap or get a joint card so that you can see the bills.

More Back to School Articles