Send Them to College With a Health Plan
A pediatrician-created guidebook and kit-building system to help college students know what to take, who to call, and when to get help
Sending your kid to college brings a strange mix of pride, excitement, and a very specific kind of worry: are they actually ready for this?
You know they are ready academically, but are they ready for the everyday health stuff? The stomach bug that hits at 1am. The "I’m not feeling great—should I go to class or not?" question. The pharmacy aisle, standing there confused about what to actually buy. The roommate who is really struggling and the panic of not knowing who to call first.
Most 18-year-olds have never had to make one of these decisions on their own. Since you were always nearby, it's just never been their job before!
I built the College Health 101 guidebook to close that gap. It gives them the tools they need to manage their health independently. And it gives you peace of mind that they have a trusted resource to help them on their journey.
College Health 101: What to Take, Who to Call, and When to Get Help
A pediatrician's guidebook to help students leaving home manage their own health. It’s built to be read before move-in, but used all year long.
Inside, you'll find:
✓ A symptom-by-symptom OTC medication guide: organized the way your student will actually search (by what's wrong, not by drug name!)
✓ 🎥 QR-code linked videos: scan and watch me walk through what to do for common symptoms. It's like having a pediatrician right there (minus the waiting room!).
✓ The "Can I Go to Class?" flowchart: a simple decision guide for the mornings they're not sure if they're too sick to go
✓ Emergency numbers and "Who Do I Call?" action plans
✓ Sleep, nutrition & movement basics
✓ Sexual health essentials: birth control options, STI testing, consent, and what to do after sexual assault
✓ Alcohol, Narcan, and party safety: including when to worry, what to do, and scripts for what to say
✓ Campus safety basics: tips to stay safe while walking alone and using rideshares
✓ Anxiety, homesickness, and first-week support : what's normal, and when it's time to ask for help
✓ A legal & practical documents checklist: what parents need in place before move-in day
✓ Printable resources: a form to use to manage prescriptions, medical kit shopping list, medical box labels, medication sheet organized by symptom, emergency wallet card, and a documents checklist
One-time purchase. Instant digital download. Print it, save it, or both!
Here is a sample of one of the QR-code linked videos in the guidebook.
Preview it First!
Get a preview of what's inside by reading my blog post: “What to Pack Before Your Child Leaves Home.” It’s a free breakdown of exactly what I recommend packing, organized by symptom. The full guide goes further: the when to worry, the who to call, and the plan for everything the packing list alone can't cover.
Want More Than a Guide? Add Ongoing Text Access.
The guide gets your student ready. But a texting membership means they're never on their own when something actually comes up—a weird rash, a "should I go to urgent care" question, or just wanting a second opinion before they panic-Google it at midnight. Your student can text me questions as they come up, and get guidance from a trusted resource. All while working to build their own healthcare independence!
Available exclusively to Minnesota residents.
Choose the option that works best for you:
Option 1: The Guidebook $25
Everything listed above.
One-time purchase, instant download, yours to keep.
Option 2: Guidebook + 3 Months Texting Membership $175
Everything in the guide, plus three months of direct text access to me (begins on your designated start date, not date of purchase)—covering move-in through the highest-risk first illness season.
Option 3: The Guidebook + 6 Months Texting Membership $300
Everything above, extended for 6 months through winter break and the return for spring semester—the stretch where questions tend to pile up! (Begins on your designated start date, not date of purchase.)
Option 4: The Guidebook + 1 Year Texting Membership $500
Full coverage through their entire first year. Offering the ultimate peace of mind, for you and your college student! (Begins on your designated start date, not date of purchase.)
What People Are Saying about Dr. Harrington
“We’ve been blown away by Dr. Harrington’s responsiveness, attention to detail, and extraordinary care. Kate always supports her guidance with both data and deep clinical experience. her communication is always calming, thoughtful, and deeply informative.”
— Emily & Matt
"The convenience of being able to text a pediatrician anytime with questions or concerns is invaluable. Dr. Harrington provides prompt, reliable, and reassuring responses. The peace of mind knowing that expert help is just a text away has made a world of difference."
—Sophie A.
"Your Pediatrician Friend has been an invaluable service to our family. Dr. Harrington is truly one of a kind—so thorough, knowledgeable, and reassuring—everything you'd want in a pediatrician. This service is worth every penny!"
—A. Leung
About Dr. Kate Harrington
Hi! I'm Dr. Kate Harrington—board-certified pediatrician with 20 years of experience and the person behind Your Pediatrician Friend.
I created this practice because I believe every parent deserves direct access to trusted pediatric expertise—not a nurse line, not a Google search, not an AI bot, and not a two-week wait for an appointment! Just real answers from a real doctor, who truly cares about your family.
I created this guidebook because I realized that many teenagers don’t know what medications are used for different common problems. From there it lead to an entire guide to help college kids prepare for any health issue they may face, and to help them gain independence in managing their health.
I'd love to be in your corner this fall as your family embarks on an exciting new chapter! 💕
Frequently Asked Questions
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The guidebook will be emailed to you. Save it to your phone so it's always there when you need it!
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QR codes are imbedded in the download. Your student can click on it and watch a video related to their issue, whenever works for them.
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Once you purchase the membership and designate a starting date, I will forward you information about how to reach me. Your child can text me about any issue that arises—I respond personally within hours, every day.
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Not at all. It's built for anyone leaving home—freshmen, transfer students, or even a sophomore/junior/senior who could use this information.
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Not at all! The guide is a complete, standalone resource on its own. The texting membership is an optional add-on for families who want ongoing access to me throughout the year.
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No—due to licensing requirements, the texting membership is available exclusively to those who have their primary residence in Minnesota. The guide itself is available to anyone, no matter where they call home.
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That's great (and recommended!). This isn't meant to replace their existing doctor. Think of it as an extra layer of support for the moments when their doctor isn't reachable and a text is faster than a phone tree.
Ready to send your college student of prepared for any health issue?
Help your child build independence in managing their own health issues, and gain peace of mind that they have a trusted resource.