Now that we are out in the real world as college students we have learned how to take care of ourselves, for the most part at least. We can pay our bills, buy our own groceries, force ourselves out of bed to go to work every day, and do all of those other awful adult responsibilities we have.

However, when we become sick, we suddenly want nothing more than to be 10 years old again so we can take a sick day and have our moms nurse us back to health. Now that we are doing this whole “grown-up” thing, there isn’t really anyone to make us a bowl of chicken noodle soup while we watch reruns from the couch. There most likely isn’t someone to bring you all of the homework you missed while you were curled up under the covers. And there probably isn’t anyone to rub your back while you cough for hours. Even if you do have someone to help take care of you, it usually is just so much more comforting when that care is coming from someone equivalent to a loving parent.

One of the worst parts about being sick now that we are adults is that it is nearly impossible to simply take a sick day. Back when we were in school, when you woke up with a fever and a feeling like you would never want to move again, your mom could give the school a quick call and suddenly you have your day open for relaxation and recovery. Now though, when you wake up feeling like you’ve been hit with the plague, you still have to keep in mind all of your responsibilities when deciding if you are going to let yourself stay in bed all day. If you know you are missing a quiz, or an extremely important review day, you might have to drag yourself out into the chilly morning air to face the classes you really don’t want to sit in while you feel like your head is going to explode. At least in the case of classes you have a choice though, because when it comes to work, you can’t exactly just decide to not go. A little cold is almost never enough of an excuse to take a day or two off. Now something a bit more extreme is a valid reason to try to convince your boss to let you stay home, but the common cold, while it makes you feel miserable, is still probably not going to be worth ruining your attendance and missing out on the money you could be making.

Overall, being sick when you have suddenly become an adult is one of the worst possible experiences. You can’t put your life and responsibilities on hold for a sore throat, and you unfortunately can’t have your parents by your side to supply you with orange juice and Kleenex. Don’t worry though; you have been sick before and will be sick again, so just power through and you will be back to being at least sort of great at the adult life in no time!