With the weather switching between summer and winter it comes to no one’s surprise that many people, college students, and teachers alike, are getting sick.

With myself being a college freshman I’ve discovered the myriad of differences between being sick at home vs being sick at college.

To elaborate, you’re most likely unprepared for being sick and have no medicine to speak of.

Sure you may have a giant first aid kit crudely shoved away somewhere in your hell hole of a dorm, but that doesn't mean you thought of everything to bring so you’ll make do or buy your own (or borrow your roommates).

You’ll slip into a few different patterns fluidly switching between vehemently denying you’re sick or use it as an excuse to skip an entire week’s classes. At home, your parent would call you out sick or just send you in for the school nurse to look at you and you could get partial credit for the day.

Without someone checking if you’re eating you may stop altogether depending on what ails you or you may binge eat thinking that’ll somehow fix you. Drinking water seems to be a somewhat magical cure as you start insisting to yourself that if you stay hydrated you’ll get better sooner.

One of your new friends may suggest you try drinking a specific tea or something along the lines of that but you still don't find yourself any better.

Calling your parents seems like something you should do, but won’t without being prompted by your roommate or a close friend.

Your parent will immediately demand to know why you didn't call them the very day you felt sick and then list off things you should have been doing the whole time.

If your smart you’ve already started doing a few of their suggestions before you called them. If not, then it’s probably for the better that you did call them even if you’re a little late.

The idea of makeup work back in high school would be a heaven-sent to you now.

Midterms are underway and unfortunately for you whether you’re in class or not doesn't stop an assignment from being due.

So laying in bed all day isn't really an option even if the assignment is due at midnight as skipping class has finally caught up with you.

With your head pounding you manage to send out an email to your professor asking for an extension or dive head first down the rabbit hole and attempt to finish an assignment you entirely forgot about in your sick haze.

To conclude, take care of yourself but don't neglect your responsibilities while struggling against something you can't necessarily control.

Try to call your parents or other family members when you have the chance.

Also, don't forget to drink water and eat properly.