Trey Fitzgerald, soon-to-be college freshman and guardian of his own health, is packing a first-aid kit for weekend hikes and paintball games while he's at school.

And for cool weather in Prescott, Ariz., where he'll attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, "I expect you'll need a jacket or two," his mother, Carolyn, reminds him on a hot day at their home in Chandler, Ariz.

She and her husband, Willie, are also making sure Trey sees the doctor to update immunizations, packs his insurance card and multivitamins and locates an urgent-care facility in Prescott when they arrive for orientation next month. "Of course, you always worry about colds and things like that," Carolyn says, "but thank goodness Trey's in good health and hasn't had any major health problems. I think he'll do just fine."

Still, as students begin striking out on their own for college over the next few weeks, they face many risks and challenges to their health and well-being— everything from lack of sleep to substance abuse can turn good health bad when Mom and Dad aren't around to keep an eye on their kids' behavior and health habits.

HEART-TO-HEART TALKS

Will Humble, assistant director for public-health preparedness for the Arizona Department of Health Services, believes heart-to-heart parent-child talks are in order, starting with what he calls the No. 1 health risk for college students.

"That population is so incredibly healthy and strong that accidents and injuries are the things that get them down most," he says. "Nothing else comes close. It's the bicycle injuries. It's the automobile injuries. It's the unsafe acts."

Sexually transmitted diseases fall into the latter category, with chlamydia, human papillomavirus and gonorrhea the most common infections in college students, he says.

"The HPV vaccine is a particularly good idea for college women who are not yet sexually active," Humble says. "If they want to get the vaccine before they get to school, they should start it now, because it's given in a series of three shots."

TALK ABOUT ALCOHOL

Alcohol use also ranks high as a health risk for college students, and not only for those who drink and get behind the wheel of a car.

Half of bicycle riders who go to hospital emergency rooms for treatment of injuries have alcohol in their systems, Humble says.

"Alcohol is the common thread through much of what affects college students," he says, "whether it's the injuries and accidents, sexually transmitted diseases, nutrition or overall health. Alcohol use increases all kinds of risky behavior, and parents need to talk to their kids about it."

Mom and Dad also should encourage a pre-college visit to the pediatrician, typically a student's final appointment with that specialist before making the transition to a general practitioner, Humble says.

Beth Applebee, director of the Fronske Health Center at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz., says taking common-sense preventive measures like eating healthy and getting enough rest makes it more likely that students will be able to participate fully in college life.

MAKING NEW FRIENDS

"Just washing your hands (helps)," she says, "and being aware that you may be exposed to more viruses when you're living amongst so many other folks."

And don't discount the ill effects of loneliness and homesickness on physical and emotional well-being.

"Students should try to make every effort to connect with their new living situation and make friends and start building those social relationships that can be supportive while beginning a new life at college," Applebee says.

Trey Fitzgerald, who has never been away from family for longer than three weeks, knows that finding new friends will require a little effort on his part. He's the only one of his circle who will be attending Embry-Riddle.

And even though he's taking advantage of the school's meal plan, Trey says he's not fond of cafeteria food and plans to do a little cooking of his own.

"I can grill hamburgers," he says. "I can cook rice and oatmeal. Frozen pizzas — I specialize in those. And any bread that comes in a tube: biscuits, cinnamon rolls, cookies."

His mom laughs.

"I think we're going to have some cooking classes ..." she tells him. "I'm not hearing much that's healthy here."

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