College Safety and Epilepsy: What You Need to Know

Teresa and Dr. Rebecca J. Stoltzfus, President of Goshen College

Why Moving to College Can Feel Like Stepping Into the Unknown

Leaving behind the comfort of “home turf” changes how we feel about safety. What surrounds us as humans influences our sense of security. In everyday life, our level of knowing and comfortability with who and what surrounds us is often related to our understanding of safety and ability to operate in our environments. For most people, home feels safe and comfortable because we know our surroundings well, allowing us to lean on people we rely on and steer clear of places in town we don’t trust. So how does this relate to college? Well for almost everyone, college is a move away from home, away from an environment that we know how to operate well in, who to call when we need a ride, where to go when we want to stroll around a park, or make a quick run to the grocery store. Going to college and moving to a new place means jumping into a new set of surroundings that we are required to learn. And remember, knowing our surroundings are what make us feel safe, secure, and comfortable. 

Familiar Surroundings = More Confidence

Learning how to operate in this new college environment and becoming familiar with what surrounds us is something that every college student will eventually be forced to do; but for those of us with epilepsy, our safety can’t wait and a good way to do this is prioritizing learning our new surroundings. Knowing where things are matters even more with epilepsy. So what does this even mean? Take a couple seconds to think about how you would answer each of these questions.

• Back home, where is the nearest hospital?

• Back home, what pharmacy do you get your meds from?

• Back home, who would you call in a pinch if you needed someone?

• Back home, who would you call if you needed to ask for a ride?

I imagine it didn’t take you long to come up with answers for each of these questions and this is because at home you know your surroundings well; but what about at college? Your safety will still rely on you having answers to these same questions and many more. Essentially you will be re-establishing your resources and network in this new environment in order to answer these questions and operate comfortably in your surroundings. 

Teresa with her Dad at her graduation

Your College Safety Starter Pack

In order to maximize your safety at college with epilepsy, here is a list of questions you should work on having answers for, and the sooner the better:

• Where is the nearest hospital?

  • Being aware of the nearest hospital is important in the case that 911 is called for an emergency. 

• Where can I fill my prescriptions?

  • It is important to never miss a dose of medication and a key way to prevent this is knowing where you can fill your prescriptions and the hours of the pharmacy (be it a pharmacy). Make sure you have a reliable mode of transportation set up in advance so that you do not miss your medication because of this reason. Some college campuses have on campus pharmacies and this can be a good way to avoid the risk of missing a dose because of transportation arrangement issues. However, before assuming, make sure your insurance works with the on campus pharmacy.  It is also a good idea when you head to college to ask your doctor to change your prescription order to a 3 month prescription. 

• Can I get room accommodations?

  • Looking into room accommodations at your college is a good idea. Many schools offer the option for you to have a single room without extra charge, bottom bunk priority, or more specific accommodations based on your school. If you do room with people, it is a good idea to post seizure first aid in a central area of your room or apartment for easy access in the case of a seizure. 

• Who will give me rides?

  • Being able to answer this question is important because you never know when you might have an appointment you need to get to, meds you need to pick up, or even just some quick shopping you want to do. Knowing who this reliable and trustworthy friend, teammate, or classmate is, happy to lend a hand is crucial.

• Who will I call when I need a hand?

  • This may be the same person that you call when you need a ride, but it is important to know who this person is before you are in the situation where you need someone. Establishing this early on is crucial.

• Does my school have on campus counseling/medical care?

  • Mental health as well as physical health is important, and college campuses often provide these resources. Take some time to find out if your campus offers counseling or has a medical care team, and if so make sure you know where the offices are and if not then it is a good idea to find out where the best place is to find counseling and medical care when you need it. 

• What is my campus safety/security’s phone number?

  • Having the campus safety number saved on your phone is not just a safety precaution for you, but may be a number you need to call in order to help someone else out. It may also be a good idea to introduce yourself to the campus safety/security staff members at the beginning of the semester so that way they are familiar with you and know what to do in the event that they find you having a seizure. 

• Do I need a medical I.D.?

  • It is a good idea to create and set up your medical I.D. on your phone if you have not done so. This can be helpful for bystanders and emergency personnel who may not know your medical history if you were to have a seizure in a public area. Wearing a medical I.D. bracelet or necklace any time you go out alone can also be helpful for those who encounter you having a seizure and are unaware of your medical history. 

• What is my Seizure Action Plan?

  • Taking the time to create your Seizure Action Plan (SAP) is an important step in establishing your safety. Your SAP outlines what to do in an event that you have a seizure and what makes the SAP valuable is that you share it with people in your new surroundings you feel you can trust. Your SAP allows those around you to know what signs to keep an eye out for, how to respond when you have a seizure, when to stay calm, and when to call 911.  

By answering these questions, you can have a more successful time in college!

Teresa officially getting her diploma!

This blog talked about safety in college with epilepsy, however, success in college with epilepsy is also crucial. Here is a list of college scholarships for individuals with epilepsy as well as a blog that outlines Tips for thriving in College with Epilepsy.