Dealing With Allergies at Your New School
A new environment can present new challenges. When community college transfer students transfer between schools, there are plenty of adjustments to make. Some are obvious -- new classmates and professors, a new campus to learn, a new city or town to navigate -- but others might come as a surprise.
Allergies aren't always at the front of someone's mind when they move, but new allergens can be devastating and disruptive -- especially for people who hadn't previously known they had allergies of any kind. But even common allergies that are no threat in one setting can become problematic in another if proper cleaning standards are not upheld.
If you have an adverse reaction to your surroundings at school, there are things you can do to improve -- and even alleviate -- your allergies.
Adjusting to pollen and environmental allergens
A variety of factors, such as elevation and climate, can affect the pollen and other allergens in the air at any given time. If you're moving from one part of the country to another, it's possible that you will be experiencing certain allergens for the first time.
Fortunately, dealing with environmental allergens is often possible through the use of allergy medications. You may be able to find suitable relief through an over-the-counter medication, or you can look into prescription medications in more severe cases.
If you are very concerned about allergies, you may want to research the regions you are considering for college by checking out the typical pollen counts seen in those areas. The World Allergy Organization, for example, is one resource that can be used to find information about pollen counts in all different regions of the world.
Check into air filtering practices in your dormitory
Like any other building, dormitories use air filters to regulate the quality of air being pumped into dorm rooms. Before embarking for your new school, it might be worth your time to call the college and learn more about how they manage air quality in the building. Find out how often they change air filters and what other measures are taken to provide the best indoor air quality possible.
You might also check with the school's housing department to figure out if there are special accommodations that are made for persons with sensitive allergies that could be affected by air quality. Some schools may have specific advice or measures that can be taken to bolster your comfort while attending school. And school health departments may also require you to report severe allergies so that they have the information on hand in case you suffer a medical emergency.
Other easy remedies
Running a humidifier in your room could be a great way to eliminate dry, harsh air that can exacerbate allergic reactions. Neti pots can provide relief when allergies get bad, and exercise is a long-term way to reduce the severity of your allergies. And some people consume one tablespoon of locally sourced honey every day in hopes that the small exposure to pollen through honey consumption can gradually build a tolerance to the airborne allergen.
In some cases, your allergies may need constant maintenance in order for you to remain comfortable and free of serious reactions. Talk to your doctor about additional steps you can take to manage this condition, whether by medications or environmental fixes. It may take a little guesswork, but you should be able to find a system that allows you to enjoy college without suffering repeated allergic reactions that knock you out of commission and hold you back from a rewarding experience.
