Without mothers as personal nurses and the luxury of a cozy bed at home, college students must tackle their sick days in an entirely different way. Here are a few tips to surviving the common “cold” the college way.
1. Salt-Packet Swipe
Experiencing a dry, scratchy sore throat and sounding like a hardcore smoker? Swipe some packets of salt from the dining hall or a restaurant. Heat up water for about a minute or so in the microwave and add a salt packet or two to the water. Stir, then gargle the mixture. Gargling salt water will help reduce the swelling in the throat and flush out existing bacteria. Repeat multiple times throughout the day for better results.
2. OJ-a-Day
There is something about juice that just makes everything better. Dash over to the Target Express in Dinkytown or snag a glass or two from the dining hall before your morning classes. Orange juice contains Vitamin C, which boosts the immune system, and bioflavonoids, natural compounds that act as antioxidants, which help prevent a variety of infections and diseases. Having a glass of OJ a day actually helps keep the doctor away!
3. The Good Stuff
If properly taken, cold-fighting drugs such as Nyquil, Dayquil, Sudafed, Benadryl, Advil, etc. can help a great deal with relieving the sucky symptoms of a cold. Set aside a small storage box or bag for medicine so when your nose is running like crazy or your head is pounding, you know where to turn. Another thought is to present the idea of a “medicine care package” to that relative that keeps insisting on sending you something but doesn’t know what to send.
4. Shots
I’m talking about Flu Shots! While experiencing changing seasons and sharing a bathroom with several other people every day, coming down with the flu is a lot easier than you might think. Head over to Boynton Health Services and receive a free flu shot and lollipop!
5. Nap
Although a good night’s sleep can help your body in unbelievable ways, we’re all still college students. Getting a solid 7-10 hours of sleep can be really tough with homework, papers, chapter meetings that go way too late, and much more. Try taking naps in that awkward hour and a half break in between your classes. Even 20 minutes of rest can help your body focus on mainly fighting the immune battle, rather than the 80 other functions your body has to perform in one day.
6. Make it Steamy
Getting up for an 8 am is a struggle all on its own, but not being able to breathe at that time of day due to sinus congestion is just awful. Take as long and hot a shower as you can take - even a five to ten minute shower can make a difference! The steam from the shower helps open up your sinuses and speed up the process of clearing out your cold. Maybe even trek to the rec for a proper steam.
7. Fluids, Man
Not a fan of OJ? Well, even if you are, solely drinking orange juice isn’t going to cut it and will probably raise your blood sugar through the roof. Some better suggestions are fluids such as: hot tea, soups, fruit-infused water or just plain water. Take a refillable water bottle with you around campus and drink those fluids like it’s your job. There are countless places on campus to fill up your water bottle quickly and for free!
8. Kleenex (So You Won’t Be That Kid)
No one wants that kid who can’t stop sniffling in their class, especially the day of a midterm or final. Grab a few tissues from your room or purchase the Kleenex or Puffs Mini-Packs of tissues to keep in your backpack. That way, you can blow your nose (somewhat quietly) in your seat and make your way to a garbage can without achieving that 20-sniffles-to-one-minute-ratio in your math lecture.
