I am a 19 year old who is heading off to college far from home, so I am concerned about living in the dorms with my diabetes and all the supplies I will need. What is your suggestion? Should I request a single room? Is there any way I would have to be granted a single room? I do not want to disturb a roommate with my having to get up during the night to test or correct my blood tests.

I don’t think you should be too concerned about your diabetes needs affecting your roommate, if you want to share a room. Hopefully you can explain your diabetes to your roommate and let her know what she can do to help you if you should develop a low. However, if you feel very uncomfortable doing that, please be aware that some folks on your floor, besides the resident advisor, must know that you have diabetes so that they will check up on you if you seem to be sleeping longer than usual, or have other signs of a low.

One of the biggest challenges with diabetes is that you may feel different, but I bet if you asked all of the other kids on the floor if they had anything about them that they felt funny about, they would come up with many things. Please keep available fast-acting carbohydrates. Best wishes and I think your question is great. I am glad you are not letting your diabetes stand in your way of going to college and staying in a dorm.

LSF

[Editor’s comment: See a previous question about preparing for college.

SS]