Being a freshman in college is difficult enough, but what they don't tell you about being a first year is that you will get sick many many times throughout the course of the year. it's the first time in your life you are sick and your mom is not there to bring you soup, check your temperature, take you to the doctor, etc. Its taken me some time, but I think I have finally figured out some tips and tricks to make yourself feel better when you're sick and on your own:

1. Daily Vitamins

Vitamin C chewables are so easy to get and don't taste like death like some vitamins do. I recommend taking 2 a day to prevent feeling like crap.

2. Chicken Soup

I have made soup in my dorm room before, so know that it is indeed, possible. Just make sure you get the canned type that's easy to open, because, I don't know about you, but I don't have a can opener lying around my room.

3. Getting rest, but still doing things

You should nap whenever you can. Sometimes a lack of sleep is what can get you sick in the first place. However, that doesn't mean you should stay cooped up in your bed all day every day. You should get up and do some activities every once in a while like making food for yourself, doing your laundry, organizing, just so you don't feel like a potato and make your sickness worse.

4. Tissues and cough drops everywhere

Tissue packets that you can put in your backpack are the key to going to class while sick. Also, always have a travel-sized hand sanitizer on you. Cough drops are also a really easy and efficient way to stop your throat from hurting if you don't have time to sit your butt down and drink tea or do that crazy throat spray.

5. Showers

Never underestimate the power of a good long shower. Sorry to my floormates, but the past 2 times I've been sick this year, I took showers and would stay in them forever. I don't know if this scientifically correct, but I always felt as though my nose cleared up so much after I showered.

6. Hydrating

You should do this anyway, but make sure you are drinking a lot of water throughout the day; it can help you feel better. It also helps, if you are trying to lose weight, to drink a gallon a day. You'll have to pee a lot but it clears up your skin and just overall makes you feel better.

7. Call home

Yeah, your mom can't do anything to help this time around, but she can make you feel better with her words and advice. Whoever it is at home who has helped you with the flu, colds, and sore throats in the past, it doesn't hurt to talk to them to get some advice and just feel comforted.