Welcome to Simmons!
Before you come to campus for your first semester, be sure to do these four important things:
- Submit your required health information in the Student Health Portal. If you are a full-time student under age 30, an international student, or a full- or part-time Health Science student, you must complete this step by August 1st. Need help? You can watch our how-to video or review these slides.
- Verify your health insurance information. All campus-based students enrolled 3/4 time or more (general credit threshold for 3/4 time is 9 credits for undergrads and 7 credits for grads with some exceptions) are required by Massachusetts law to enroll in the Student Health Insurance or be covered by a health insurance plan with comparable coverage. (What is comparable coverage? Find out here!) To find more information about the Student Insurance Plan and to access waiver and enrollment forms, go here.
- Organize your prescription medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend having your prescriptions filled at a pharmacy near campus. You can contact your pharmacy/provider about transferring prescriptions to CVS or Walgreens near campus. *If you plan to transfer prescribing for controlled substances such as ADHD or anxiety medications, we require documentation of your diagnosis and current treatment plan; for ADHD please also bring a copy of your most recent Neuropsych eval. Plan on bringing a one month supply of your medication(s) to campus and scheduling an initial Mental Health appointment with a Nurse Practitioner at the Health Center within your first 1-2 weeks on campus. We are very happy to care for you, but cannot accommodate last minute refill requests and/or incomplete documentation.
- Stock your medicine cabinet. It’s important to keep some basic self-care items in your residence hall room or apartment. You don’t need to have a fully stocked first aid kit or even an actual cabinet. In fact, your “medicine cabinet” can be a shoe box or a small plastic bin. Get started with these items:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol®), or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) to reduce inflammation, pain, and fever
- Band-aids of assorted sizes for minor cuts, Ace Bandage for sprains/strains
- Antibiotic ointment
- Hot/cold gel pack
- Hydrocortisone cream for itchy bites and rashes
- Mylanta® (or similar antacid) for an upset stomach
- Imodium® for diarrhea
- Over-the-counter decongestants and cough medicine
- A thermometer
- Tweezers for splinters
- Cotton swabs and cotton balls
- Menstrual supplies if applicable
Got questions? Contact us at healthcenter@simmons.edu.
Need to connect with the Health Center or the Counseling Center? Find more information below:
Health Center web page
Health Center Instagram
Counseling Center web page
Counseling Center Instagram