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10 Tips for Navigating the Transition to Post-Secondary with T1D

Aug 6, 2024 | T1D Accommodations, Transition, Transition Tips, Type 1 Diabetes | 2 comments

10 Tips for Navigating the Transition to Post-Secondary with T1D

My name is Grace Marciski and I am going into my 2nd year at McMaster University and my 10th year of diabetes. I moved from Northwestern Ontario to Hamilton for school, leaving my family and everything I had ever known a 2 hour flight, or 15 hour drive away. This was what I wanted, but it took extra preparation in order to make a successful transition. But I did it, others have done it, and you can do it too!

navigating the transition to post-secondary with T1D, diabetes transition

Get Ready to Transition… Knowledge is Power!

To make this transition (or any transition!) successful, I believe the most important thing is knowledge. I personally looked into everything – making sure to find the nearest pharmacy, learning their hours and figuring out how to transfer prescriptions and confirming continued insurance coverage are all crucial, but there’s so much more, like knowing resources and rules on campus. To save you a bit of trial and error, here are my top-10 tips to help make your transition to post-secondary school as smooth as possible!

Top 10 Tips for a Smooth Transition

Understand Accommodation Resources: Early on, I gained an understanding of accommodation resources on campus. At McMaster, for example, each dorm room can only have one mini fridge. Going into the residence application knowing this, I was able to say that I had to store refrigerated medication, which a roommate may not be comfortable with, nor might there be room for everything if we shared a mini fridge, so it would be best for me to be in a single-room. Through my first year, I chose not to pursue any other accommodations, mostly due to personal preference, but look into what makes sense for you.
Plan Your Medical Care in Advance: Another important decision is regarding your ongoing medical care. In my first year, my doctor and rest of my team talked it through, and we decided to have phone call appointments through the school year, and for me to see them in person in the summer. This was okay, but I believe I will be switching to a doctor closer to campus in the coming year, just because I am not so sure I will be spending the whole summer here next year, which would make this arrangement difficult.
Manage Your Supplies: Next, figure out how you’re going to get your supplies! I filled my insulin prescription at a pharmacy next to campus, but ordering pump supplies can also change. For me, this required communication with my mom, as she stayed the one responsible for ordering (and saving receipts!). I would tell her when I needed pump supplies, she would order them and ship them to the address that my residence page told us was my shipping address, and then I would pick them up on campus. It is important to allow for a couple extra days when doing this, because campuses often receive all the packages, and then they sort them as well, which can add extra time to delivery. On that note, knowing the times when you can pick up packages is important as well. At McMaster, it is luckily 24/7, which saved me a time or two!
Stay Connected with Support Systems: Keeping in touch with supports from home is important, and luckily easier than ever with technology. While I left home and wanted a full restart, that doesn’t mean those who got me through tough times in the past weren’t still there for me, and I urge you, even though they aren’t nearby anymore, call your mom, call your friends – stay connected to those who support you.
Emergency Preparedness: In case of an emergency, I made sure to have the number for the emergency first response team on campus, as well as the student wellness centre, saved to my phone in case I need them, because while my mom is always my first call, she isn’t down the hall anymore.
Schedule Regular Meals and Snacks: Make sure there is room in your schedule to have meals and/or have snacks you can throw in your bag. Also CARRY LOW TREATMENTS EVERYWHERE!
Tell Someone Trustworthy & Responsible: I have never been one to hide my diabetes, so many people knew about my diabetes. If this is not you, find someone that you trust to tell, tell your roommate if you have one; if there are people you spend a lot of time around, make sure they know.
WEAR MEDICAL ID: I never used to, but do now, and am used to it to the point where I rarely take it off. Mine also features my parents phone numbers, which is important because no one I am around while at school knows them, or their phone numbers.
Make Safe Choices When Going Out: Another rule I lived by was that at least one person I was going out with had to know before we went out, and if I was planning on getting intoxicated, at least one person that wasn’t should also know. For me, my best friend doesn’t drink much so this was often her, whether she was going out with us or not. I also befriended a fourth year student who didn’t really go to the same things that I did, so she was typically home when I was out. Both of these people are Dexcom followers, which eased my mind, their minds, and likely my parent’s minds.
Personalize Your Approach: The most important thing to remember is that no two people have the same experience, and what works for some does not work for others. You know you best and need to make informed decisions that will help you succeed.

Get ready for September! Watch the webinar below “Preparing for Post-Secondary School… with T1D” to learn from Canadian students with T1D about academic accommodations, student health insurance, campus life, and more! Resources mentioned in the webinar are listed below. View the PowerPoint Presentation here >

Bonus Tip

Remember, the T1D world is small and if you are willing to keep your eyes open and start a conversation or be receptive to them, you will find yourself a community. I met other T1Ds at the gym, in the dining hall, in a class, and even once in my laundry room at 2am!

Good luck with your transition to college/university, and go do incredible things!

Grace Marciski, navigating the transition to post-secondary with T1D, diabetes transition

About the Author

My name is Grace Marciski. I’m entering my 2nd year at McMaster University and my 10th year with diabetes…

Diabetes Hope Foundation (DHF) is a Canadian not-for-profit organization founded in 1999. The foundation’s mission is to provide education and resources to help youth with diabetes transition to a healthier tomorrow. Learn more about our youth programs and resources below.