A chronic health condition affects every aspect of your life, and that includes education. Many students entering their first year of college find themselves overwhelmed, even without the need to manage medical supplies and plan around physical limitations. To help you manage your health and your schooling, follow these five tips.

How to Protect Your Health

1. Be Proactive

You'll fare much better if you plan ahead for challenges instead of waiting until you're in a crisis. Put plans in place in case your condition flares suddenly and keep all your medical supplies well stocked.

2. Manage Your Schedule

As you plan your course load, be realistic with yourself about how much you can handle. Don't push yourself to do as much as possible; instead, think about what you can sustain for the next four years or more. Build in time to rest and take care of your health.

3. Know Your On-Campus Health Resources

Your campus likely has a student health center and may have other services you can call on. Familiarize yourself with these resources from the beginning and pay a visit to each office to bring them up to speed on your condition. Ask them what medical supplies and services they're able to offer on-site.

4. Find a Pharmacy

Look up pharmacies near your campus, then call each one to make sure they offer the services you need. Ideally, the best pharmacy would be the closest one, but if you need unusual or specially compounded medications, you may have to look at providers farther away. Make plans for transportation or ask pharmacies if they deliver prescription refills.

5. Be Consistent

By taking consistent care of your health each day, you minimize the risk of serious episodes later. Pay attention to your needs and to any changes in your condition. Resist the temptation to let your self-care routine slide for a day or a week. You may need to prioritize your health needs over other activities, but this is better than having your condition worsen due to stress or negligence.

For help getting the medical supplies you need to manage your health condition, visit Gates Pharmacy in Elyria, OH. For 30 years, they have provided prescriptions and health care supplies to patients in Lorain County, offering compassionate, trustworthy service and knowledgeable advice about your medications. To see if they have what you need, call (440) 329-7300 or send a message online.