On campus and on course. Going to college with diabetes is a big transition. Here's how to make it work.

摘要

Levy, now 19 and a rising sophomore, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in sixth grade. He says he's always strived to fit diabetes into his life rather than fit his life around diabetes. Still, he admits, the transition to college was a bigger adjustment than he expected. "It's a lot more work," he says. "The toughest change is not being on a rigorous schedule that you follow eveiy day. If I want to, I can stay up until 4 o'clock in the morningplayingvideo games." Since his daily routine is unpredictable-it could end in a late-night study session or a party any night of the week-Levy has become more vigilant about keeping his blood glucose in a healthy range throughout the day. "I check about four or five times a day and correct often," he says. And he never leaves his dorm without a bag that contains his test kit, three juices, and an insulin pen. "Even if I go to a party, I have that bag with me," he says. "People joke with me about it, but I say, 'It's my man purse.' Just having it gives me that sense of security that if something does go wrong, I'm ready to handle it."