The ultimate wellness checklist for college students

Students should try to complete these requirements as soon as possible. Failure to complete all of your health requirements can result in fees or an inability to register for spring classes.

Complete your health requirements

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Transfer your prescriptions

Did you know that CU Boulder has a full-service pharmacy available on campus? If you’re currently taking prescription medications, we recommend transferring your prescriptions to the Apothecary Pharmacy. This will allow you to fill, refill and request prescriptions for pickup at Wardenburg Health Center on main campus or at the Village Center in Williams Village.

In order to transfer your prescriptions, you’ll need to complete the following steps:

• Fill out a “New User Form” online
• Provide a copy of your medical and/or prescription insurance card
• Fill out a “Prescription Transfer Request Form” online

Start transferring your prescriptions

Review your health history

Knowing about your personal health and family history is important, especially as you start to make appointments and see healthcare providers on your own. Take some time to review your history before your first appointment. You may need to call on family members to fill in the details. Here are a few things to include in your review:

• Medications (doses, frequency, why they are taken, etc.)
• Allergies (e.g. medications, foods, reactions, etc.)
• Significant family medical history (e.g. cancer, asthma, diabetes, etc.)
• Personal medical history (e.g. diagnoses, conditions, surgical history, etc.)
• Vaccination history (e.g. types, dates administered, additional doses required, etc.)

You can also use this free, printable Personal Health Information form to review health topics. Be sure to save this form somewhere secure that you can also easily access if you need to schedule a healthcare appointment or meet with a provider.

Download a free personal health form

Protect yourself against preventable diseases

College campuses are a great place for diseases to spread. While CU requires students to meet certain vaccination requirements, there are additional immunizations that we strongly recommend for all students, even if they’re not required. 

Here are a few important immunizations that you can receive at Medical Services to help protect yourself in college and beyond: 

• Meningitis: Meningitis is a serious illness that can infect the brain, spinal cord and blood. This infection can cause lifelong disability or death if untreated. CU requires all students under the age of 23 living in campus-operated housing to receive the MenACWY meningitis vaccine. However, all students living in tight quarters on and off campus are also at risk, as this disease can be spread through saliva when an infected person coughs, shares utensils, borrows someone’s lip products or is in close contact with others. Protect yourself and your roommates by getting the MenACWY and Meningitis B vaccines.
   
• HPV: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a serious virus that can lead to long-term health effects, including genital warts and cervical cancer. This virus is considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is spread through skin-to-skin contact and intercourse, including oral, anal and vaginal sex. It is one of the most common STIs in the world, and college students are at an increased risk of contracting or spreading HPV through unprotected sex.
   
• Flu: Like COVID-19, the flu can spread rapidly on college campuses, especially for those living and studying in close quarters. It’s important to know that the flu virus mutates every year, which is why annual flu vaccines are critical in preventing the spread. All CU Boulder students are eligible for a free flu shot from Medical Services during flu season.

Schedule an appointment to get vaccinated at Medical Services

Learn about health insurance basics

Health insurance is probably one of those things you wish you would’ve learned about in high school or early in college. While insurance plans can be complex, understanding your policy is an important part of managing your health (and wallet). 

If you feel overwhelmed navigating healthcare or insurance systems, you’re not alone. That’s why we’re here to help. Check out tips and tricks to help you understand the basics and make the most of your health insurance plan.

Learn the basics of health insurance

Register with Disability Services if you need accommodations

Disability Services provides reasonable housing, dining and academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Some examples of disabilities by category include, but are not limited to:

• Learning disabilities and/or ADHD
• Mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc.)
• Chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes, Crohn’s, cancer, etc.)
• Deafness and hearing loss
• Blindness and low vision

If you have a disability and need accommodations, we recommend that you register with Disability Services as soon as possible. Disability Services can also provide support to students with temporary medical conditions such as a broken wrist or concussion. If you have any questions or if you’re unsure if you qualify for accommodations, you can reach out to dsinfo@colorado.edu for assistance.

Register with Disability Services

Create a safer sex plan

Sex is something we hear a lot about in college. Whether you're in a committed relationship or considering exploring sex for the first time, you’ll want to take some precautions to help keep you and your partner safe. Here are a few topics to review (preferably before you have sex).