There’s always that bug that goes around during the first few weeks of school. I got it this week. It was sudden and aggressive and unlike any cold I’ve ever had before. Since my head has been overtaken by this illness, anything I write is probably going to come out as if I’m sick. So, I might as well write about being sick. Here are eight suggestions on how to properly be sick in college:
1. Accept that you’re sick.
I love denying how sick I am. I’m the kind of person who will go to school, go to work, or go anywhere before I admit I’m too sick to go places. An important step in being sick is admitting it. You should stay in bed — don’t deny it. It’s a very freeing revelation.
2. Don’t feel ashamed for being sick.
For me, colds are always accompanied by a feeling of shame. My brain continually tells me, “It’s not that bad. You’re fine. You’re acting sick for attention.” Meanwhile, my body is desperately pleading, “Don’t listen to that! You are sick! Sleep! It’s not being lazy, it’s giving me a chance to heal!” Do I give in to my mind and try to be a functioning human out in society, or do I listen to my body and not move from my bed for 15 hours?
3. Text mom.
In general, I hate complaining and trying to make people feel sorry for me. But one person I do want to feel sorry for me is my mom. My sore throat kept me from making a desperate phone call, so instead I sent a dramatic text, detailing the saga of my disease. I think a small dose of pity is good for any cold.
4. Let people love you from a distance.
When I feel miserable, I immediately become physically clingy. Hugs are bound to heal me, right? Humans make the best pillows for my sinus-clogged head, right? I have to constantly remind myself that people don’t want to touch me when I’m sick. It’s nothing personal, I’m just sick. I have to remember to let them express their concern and love from the other side of the room.
5. Have sick buddies!
Two of my roommates got sick before I did, so now we’re all sick together! It’s fun because we get to swap soups and cough drops and teas and remedies that we pretend work but who knows if they actually do. Misery is more fun when you go through it with friends!
6. Have an understanding roommate.
Shout out to my roommate! She had to deal with my horse-breathing and sniffling and coughing and waking up and flopping and mumbling all night long, yet in the morning instead of personally ending my life, she double-checked to make sure I was 1) still alive and 2) purposefully missing class and not just over-sleeping. Also, she’s the only one in our apartment who hasn’t gotten sick yet, but she’s continuing to love us despite the knowledge that she’s probably going to catch it from us in these next few days. Sorry. I love you, buddy.
7. Fluids, vitamin C and all that.
I never hear the word “fluids” more often than I do when I’m sick. That’s everyone’s response. That’s the only advice they have. Drink fluids. Make sure you have fluids. But I’ve had so many ounces of fluids. So many fluids of Vitamin C. I have had so many fluids that “fluids” has become a straight-up trigger-word for me. I don’t want your fluid advice, I want to stop being sick and miserable. Thanks.
8. Find encouragement in the little accomplishments.
Who cares if I have a paper due tomorrow that I haven’t had the energy to start? I took a shower today! I made myself soup! I left my bed to sit out in the living room for a couple hours! I have filled an entire waste basket with Kleenex! If those aren’t real accomplishments, then I don’t know what are.
For all I know, this entire article could be a fever dream. There’s no way of knowing. Here’s to hoping I get better soon. I hope the same for you if you have whatever’s going around.
