Going to College with Migraine: 8 Things to Know Before You Go

You’re off to college! Leaving home for the first time means you're now the one in charge of your migraine, not your parents. Learning to navigate college and managing migraine can be challenging, but it is totally doable with a little planning. Below, we help you plan for healthcare, school, and living on campus.

Before You Leave

First, visit our Young Adults with Migraine(opens in new tab) resource hub to explore how best to manage your condition on and off campus.

1. Develop a Migraine Action Plan — Everyone with migraine should have a comprehensive Migraine Action Plan(opens in new tab) (MAP). This written document is a how-to guide(opens in new tab) for managing your migraine, including preventive, acute, and rescue options for when nothing else works. OTC treatments, supplements, and migraine devices are also listed on this treatment plan. Work with your headache doctor to develop this plan before you head to school, and follow it as directed. Bring the plan to any on-campus doctor visits to help new healthcare providers treat your migraine. Update the plan whenever there is a change in your treatments.
2. Find a doctor near campus before you need one — Don't wait until an attack starts to search. Visit the on-campus health center to better understand the services they offer, any costs associated with the visit, and appointment wait times. Student health centers may not be equipped to treat severe symptoms, so ask your headache doctor for a local referral in case you need more specialized care. 
3. Know your insurance before you're in a pharmacy line — Are you still covered by family insurance, or do you now have a separate plan? Does your campus health center have a pharmacy? Talk with your family about your insurance plan. Confirm it covers care away from home, find in-network pharmacies near campus, know your refill process. Need help working with your insurance company? Visit our Insurance Coverage(opens in new tab) resource.

When You Get to Campus

1. Request reasonable accommodations when needed — Talk with your school’s disability office about possible accommodations to reduce triggers in the classroom. This can include no overhead fluorescent lighting, fragrance-free policies, or wearing migraine devices and sunglasses during class time. 
2. Expect new triggers in a new environment — Dorm and classroom lighting, cafeteria food, new sleep schedule, dehydration, stress. Start a simple diary (in an app or in notes) to spot trigger(opens in new tab) patterns early.
3. Carry a "migraine go-bag" — Meds, water bottle, sunglasses, snacks, migraine devices; always with you, not just in your dorm. Don’t be shy about using treatments in front of others. Treat at the first sign of symptoms.
4. Protect sleep and meals even when your schedule won't cooperate — Migraine brains like routine; late-night studying and skipped meals are common triggers. A few anchor habits like eating regularly go a long way. In this short video(opens in new tab), Dr. Tonya Bilchik explains the migraine brain and routine. 
5. Tell your roommate, a friend, and teachers what a migraine attack looks like for you — Explain what you need (quiet, dark, space) and what to do if it's severe. If others know how and when to help, it can reduce isolation and confusion.

Build Your Advocacy Skills

College is the perfect place to improve your knowledge and build your migraine advocacy skills. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for what you need from the health clinic, your classmates, and your school. Every student, including those with migraine, deserves a safe environment for learning. 

LET US KNOW! 

Are you off to college for the first time? Are you nervous about managing migraine on campus? Do you have questions or tips for others? Explore how to navigate migraine in your 20s(opens in new tab). 

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician.