Diabetes health specialists share information regarding frequent concerns students and parents have when they are preparing for college. Below you will find frequently asked questions by Type 1 Diabetic before they begin college answered by health care professionals, nutritionists, and diabetes educators.
The questions that will be answered are:
1. What should I know about managing my blood sugar while adjusting to a new schedule and dining hall options?
2. How should I prepare for an emergency?
3. What should I do if I am sick?
4. What is the best way to organize my diabetes supplies in my dorm room?
5. Why is it important to always wear my Medical ID bracelet/tag?
6. Is it safe to drink in college with diabetes?
This information is based on scientific research and facts as opposed the other information presented on this website which is general advice and from experiences.
1. What should I know about managing my blood sugar while adjusting to a new schedule and dining hall options?
The dining hall can be tricky because you do not have control over food options. At many schools, they have an app or online menu you can check to see what food they are serving each day so you can do your best to plan and pre-bolus. Even if you do not know what you are eating for sure, you should give some insulin before heading to a meal and can always give more once you know for sure what will be eating. Remember, you can eat whatever you want as a diabetic as long as you bolus the correct amount! Don't let other people tell you what you can and can't eat- you know your body best.
Usually, dining halls serve the same foods on the same days each week. It is helpful to figure out what you like to eat and learn how dosing for these meals works best for you through trial and error.
Here is a reminder of how to pre-bolus given your blood sugar:
Blood Sugar Time Before Eating
<80 Subtract 15g from meal dose
81-150: Bolus 10 minutes prior to eating
151-200: Bolus 15 minutes prior to eating
201-300: Bolus 20 minutes prior to eating
301-400: Bolus 30 minutes prior to eating
>401: Bolus 40 minutes prior to eating
*Information from Carrie Leach, Diabetes Nurse Practitioner
at the Mcneely Diabetes Clinic at Minnesota Children's Hospital.*
2. How should I prepare for an emergency?
Like diabetes, life can be unpredictable. So, it is always a good idea to be as prepared as possible with a kit or bag of emergency supplies in case you need to leave your dorm unexpectedly. Here are some necessary items to include in an on-the-go bag:
Genera diabetes supplies: a 1 month supply of insulin and pump supplies (if you are on a pump), blood sugar testing supplies- extra bottles of strips, two meters, and a two finger pokers with extra lancets. For those on MDI, have an extra box of pen needles and syringes. It is useful to include a plastic container to put your sharps.
Food: granola bars last a long time! A jar of peanut butter with rice cakes or bread is also surprisingly useful. Peanut butter is a great protein, has a little bit of sugar, and generally can be stored for an extended period of time.
Insulin case or a cooler: You want to have at least a months supply ion insulin stored separately in case of an emergency. As we know, to be the most effective Insulin needs to be kept cool. There are cooling bags available at many stores such as Walgreens and CVS. Or, typical callers with ice packs work as well. Although, you will need to ensure the icepacks stay cold or change them every so often to keep insulin cold.
If you use a pump: aside from pump changing supplies (infusion sites, alcohol swabs, reservoirs, etc.) you need to have back up insulin, Lantus, and syringes in case the pump fails.
If you wear a CGM: you want to have 2-3 sensors incase one fails or falls off early. Include supplies you need to change your CGM like alcohol swabs, patches, and adhesives.
Travel kits work well to keep extra supplies organized! They are available and pretty affordable at many stores like Walmart, Target, and Walgreens. It is important to keep your emergency bag or kit in a convenient place you will remember easily. This will make things move more smoothly if you need to leave quickly.
*Information from Mary Ellen Phipps, the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) on
3. What should I do if I am sick?
Have a plan for how to handle “sick days”. Have ketostix available to check ketones. Consider making a “sick day box” with supplies for managing any illness. In this box, it is important to include, aside from ketostix, a drink with electrolytes (gatorade or vitamin water), and some form of carbohydrates (granola bars are a good option). It is important to drink a lot of fluids and eat some form of carbs to help prevent the progression of ketones. While a lot of young diabetics don't know this, the absence of carbs in the body can effect the development of ketones. You do not have to eat a lot, because it can be hard to eat when you are sick, but having something in your system with carbohydrates will help.
Bellow ketone decision flow charts are attached for those on injections and those using any kind of pump. It may be useful to have these saved to your phone or printed out to keep in your sick day box to be prepared if you need them. Click on them to enlarge!
For Insulin Pump Users For MDI
*Information form the a team of diabetes educators, nutritionists, and endocrinologists at the Mcneely Diabetes Clinic at Minnesota Children's Hospital*
4. What is the best way to organize my diabetes supplies in my dorm room?
Decorating your dorm room is one of the most fun parts of moving into college! Being prepared and having a plan for storing diabetes supplies before you move in will make the move in process easier. Here are some tips for productive, cute, and easy to find organization supplies from a diabetes nutritionist:
Keep your insulin in a refrigerator! You may want to purchase a refrigerator with your roommate to share. If you do, make sure they know your insulin will be taking up some space in the fridge. Otherwise, there are many small refrigerators you can purchase that may be even small enough to fit under your bed and be out of the way.
Have your dorm supplies organized, but also keep an on-the-go kit stocked. You should keep these two things separate to make sure you are not accidentally using your emergency supplies.
You can make your diabetes organization fun! Choose products you enjoy that are in a color or asthetic that is appealing to you. Anything you can do to make diabetes a little bit more fun is totally worth it.
What can I use to organize my diabetes supplies?
Organization baskets for crafts
Storage bins or drawers
Plastic baskets
Any empty boxes or containers you have around your house
Pencil boxes or cups
You also need supplies with you in your school bag!
Reusable plastic bags are great for keeping what you need while away from your dorm in your backpack. You will likely need to treat a low or high blood sugar at some point while you are not in your dorm. Whether you are in class, at the library, or in a friends room, it is way better to be prepared than unprepared for a blood sugar change. Keep sugar, a glucagon pen, insulin, and testing supplies with you at all times in your backpack or bag!
You can find durable and fashionable diabetes bags that are specifically designed to store you r supplies. If you are looking for something trendy and sleek, you might be interested in the products from: Vadi Handbags and Myabetic. These bags are perfect for something smaller if do not need to take your entire backpack with school supplies. They have a variety of options and styles. You will be able to find something that works for you and fits your style.
*Information from Mary Ellen Phipps, the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) on
5. Why is it important to always wear my Medical ID bracelet/tag?
If there is an emergency, the easiest way to receive the care you need quickly is through your medical ID. First responders will check your medical information on your bracelet or tag. Knowing you are a Type 1 Diabetic, whether you use insulin or wear an insulin pump, an emergency contact, and any other information you choose to include can help medical professionals proceed with your care and possible determine what is wrong.
According to an American Medical ID survey, "more than 95% of first responders look for a medical ID during emergencies. Additionally, 95% of emergency personnel look on the patient's wrist to find a medical ID, while 68% look for an ID on the patient's neck.Knowing the standard procedures that first responders follow can give you confidence that if an unexpected event happens, you'll quickly receive the help you need."
As a college student, you will be busy and likely have different things going on on different days. It can be hard to establish and stick to a consistent routine. Managing your health, going to school, and other daily activities may have you constantly running here and there.
"The most common reasons for low blood sugar episodes are missed meals, physical exercise, an incorrect insulin dosage, and stress. If you wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), it's easy to see the days when the pressure and stress of life result in blood sugar highs and lows that can be more difficult to manage."
Wearing a Medical ID adds some safety to the days when you are stray from your routine. In case anything happens, it will ensure you get the right care as soon as possible.
Feeling confident in your Medical ID is important! there are many options and styles available so you can find the right one for you. Some people with T1D might choose a traditional-looking bracelet, you can easily find one that is fun, fashionable, and comfortable. There are also many options that are wearable and durable for sports and other more intense activities! Diabetes charms that can be placed on the strap of a purse or on a backpack — so they're easily noticeable — are also available. Finding the right Medical ID can help you feel more confident in how you present your diabetes, and have reassurance that you will get the care you need if needed.
*Information from Pamela D. Wilson, MS, BS/BA, NCG, CSA on:
Where you can find a medical ID that works for you:
6. Is it safe to drink in college with diabetes?
If you drink alcohol, make sure you are with someone who knows you have diabetes. Use alcohol only in moderation and make sure to eat something. Alcohol prevents stored sugar in the liver from being released when your body needs it, which can result in low blood sugars for up to 12 hours. (NOTE: Glucagon does not work when you have been drinking alcohol.) This is also a problem because symptoms of a low can be similar to how someone acts when they are drunk... People around you need to know that you may be having a low, not intoxicated, and that they need to help you eat something, not just let you “sleep it off”. Remember, alcohol is illegal until the age of 21!
Wear a Medical Alert bracelet or necklace at all times!
*Information form the a team of diabetes educators, nutritionists, and endocrinologists at the Mcneely Diabetes Clinic at Minnesota Children's Hospital*
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