5 Reasons Why Being Sick At College Is The Worst

5 Reasons Why Being Sick At College Is The Worst

It's time to grow up and learn how to deal with being sick yourself.
Lauren Duistermars
Lauren Duistermars Mar 7, 2016
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In Michigan, the weather can change in the blink of an eye. One day, it's -10 degrees with blustery winds and icy roads. The next day it's 60 degrees and the sun is shining. The state literally can't make up its mind as to what season it wants to be. These quick changes of weather can take a drastic toll on student's health.

In a matter of days, students begin to show the first signs of a cold. Coughing and sneezing become as normal as the usual classroom lectures. Students learn to deal with the interruptions because they know that their classmates can't help it. As soon as it hits one student, everyone seems to be infected. In high school, being sick wasn't that big of a deal. It meant sleeping in, staying home and knowing that all of your assignments would be waiting for you the day you came back. In college, that is not the case. Being sick in college is the absolute worst. You face the harsh reality that you are no longer a kid and actually have to start acting like an adult because no one is going to baby you anymore.

1. Your parents aren't there to take care of you.

This is one of the hardest things to grasp when you're sick and away at school. After having your parents there to take care of you for the past 18 years of your life, you're suddenly on your own. Anything you need, you have to get yourself. There's no one to make sure you take your medicine or make you a steaming bowl of hot soup.

2. You have to go to class.

Though for most classes, attendance isn't necessarily required, it is highly recommended. If you're someone who struggles with the thought of skipping class because you don't want to miss something important, skipping class when you're sick is a definite no. You load up on cold medicine and hope to make it through the lecture without being too much of a distraction.

3. There is no catch-up.

If you miss a day of class, your assignments will not be waiting for you when you get back. As a fully capable adult, it is your responsibility to make sure you get the notes and homework for the days that you missed. You don't want to get behind and play catch up towards the end of the semester.

4. You feel miserable all of the time.

Your throat aches, the stomach is queasy, ears are plugged, the nose is running and your entire body feels weak. All you want to do is stay in bed, but you have to function to some extent. When you're sick at school everyone can tell that you're sick. You want others to feel your pain because you most likely caught the illness from someone around campus. There is no escape for the aches that you feel.

5. You can't sleep because of homework.

You already don't get enough sleep in college, but you get even less when you're sick. You're up coughing and blowing your nose multiple times throughout the night, making it hard to get your much-needed rest. On top of that, you have to stay up late into the night doing the mountain of homework you've accumulated.

Here's to you sick college kids. Keep sticking it out, no matter how miserable you may be.

Cover Image Credit: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZxS25LsvNsM/hqdefault.jpg
Lauren Duistermars
Lauren Duistermars Mar 7, 2016
At Hope College

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Everything You Will Miss If You Commit Suicide

The world needs you.
Brittani Norman
Brittani Norman Apr 5, 2016
51322
views

You won’t see the sunrise or have your favorite breakfast in the morning.

Instead, your family will mourn the sunrise because it means another day without you.

You will never stay up late talking to your friends or have a bonfire on a summer night.

You won’t laugh until you cry again, or dance around and be silly.

You won’t go on another adventure. You won't drive around under the moonlight and stars.

They’ll miss you. They’ll cry.

You won’t fight with your siblings only to make up minutes later and laugh about it.

You won’t get to interrogate your sister's fiancé when the time comes.

You won’t be there to wipe away your mother’s tears when she finds out that you’re gone.

You won’t be able to hug the ones that love you while they’re waiting to wake up from the nightmare that had become their reality.

You won’t be at your grandparents funeral, speaking about the good things they did in their life.

Instead, they will be at yours.

You won’t find your purpose in life, the love of your life, get married or raise a family.

You won’t celebrate another Christmas, Easter or birthday.

You won’t turn another year older.

You will never see the places you’ve always dreamed of seeing.

You will not allow yourself the opportunity to get help.

This will be the last sunset you see.

You’ll never see the sky change from a bright blue to purples, pinks, oranges and yellows meshing together over the landscape again.

If the light has left your eyes and all you see is the darkness, know that it can get better. Let yourself get better.

This is what you will miss if you leave the world today.

This is who will care about you when you are gone.

You can change lives. But I hope it’s not at the expense of yours.

We care. People care.

Don’t let today be the end.

You don’t have to live forever sad. You can be happy. It’s not wrong to ask for help.

Thank you for staying. Thank you for fighting.

Suicide is a real problem that no one wants to talk about. I’m sure you’re no different. But we need to talk about it. There is no difference between being suicidal and committing suicide. If someone tells you they want to kill themselves, do not think they won’t do it. Do not just tell them, “Oh you’ll be fine.” Because when they aren’t, you will wonder what you could have done to help. Sit with them however long you need to and tell them it will get better. Talk to them about their problems and tell them there is help. Be the help. Get them assistance. Remind them of all the things they will miss in life.

For help, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Cover Image Credit: Brittani Norman
Brittani Norman
Brittani Norman Apr 5, 2016
At Influencers of Montana

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Meditation Is Not A Perfect Practice, But It's Still Worth Your Time

You'll thank me later.

nczupek
nczupek Jan 17, 2019
288
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I began doing yoga a few years ago, and I instantly loved it. The combination of stretching, mental relaxation, and emotional release is amazing. It creates a sense of zen and peace in my life that I can use during the stress that comes from school, work, and everyday life. But the one part of yoga that I am not in love with is the meditation aspect.

I absolutely dread meditation. I do not know what it is, but I can never quite seem to get my mind to quiet down. No matter how hard I try, there is always a million thoughts running through my brain. "Did I finish that homework assignment?" "Am I breathing too loud? Can other people hear me?" I become so focused on other things happening around me that I just can't seem to calm down and relax.

But meditation is not about just clearing your mind and going completely blank. It is about focusing on a single thought, object, or intention and just allowing those emotions and feelings to overcome you. Focusing on one intention in your life allows you to become focused and re-centered. Meditation is not a set in stone practice, it is adaptable based on each person's needs.

There are seven general types of meditation: loving-kindness meditation, body scanning meditation, mindfulness meditation, breath awareness meditation, kundalini yoga, Zen meditation, and transcendentalism meditation. Each of these general types can be adapted to fit ones specific needs in that time. All seven of these meditations offer stress release options to help with daily stressors and inconveniences.

There is no perfect way to meditate. Meditation can also be as simple as just closing your eyes and simply breathing for a few seconds while focusing on one important thing in your life to help you remain grounded. There is no one set meditation type that works for all people. Some people enjoy all of the forms or even several of them, while others such as myself strictly enjoy the body scanning meditation.

The body scanning meditation focuses on scanning the body for areas of tension and to encourage the release of tension in that part of the body. Once the release occurs, the whole body can begin to relax even more. It usually starts by focusing on the toes and relaxing then moving up the legs, the torso the arms to the fingertips, and all the way through to the tip of the head.

My ideal meditation type is not for everyone. Playing around with the different types of meditations is the best way to find an ideal type of meditation that fits what the body needs. Unlike with most things, practice doesn't make perfect. Practicing the art of meditation just helps to refine the overall calm and zen that is felt.

nczupek
nczupek Jan 17, 2019
At University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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