You know what sucks? Being sick. You know what sucks more? Being sick at college. As I am writing this article it feels like someone has put a vise over my head and is taking pleasure in slowly turning the handle until my face explodes.
When I was younger I lived for sick days. Getting to say home from school, lay on the couch while eating chicken soup, and watching "The Price is Right" was the absolute best. But getting sick in college is a whole other story. There are some major differences between getting sick in college and getting sick in elementary school.
1. The Diagnosis
When you're in elementary school: You wake up and your head is pounding so your mom picks up the phone and calls the doctor's office for you. You have an appointment that afternoon. She drives you to the office and comes with you to tell the doctor all of your symptoms and medical history. You walk out armed with antibiotics and an shiny new sticker.
When you're in college: You wake up and your head is pounding so you pick up the phone and enter your symptoms on the WebMD symptom checker. Once you're 95 percent sure you're actually dying you call health services to make an appointment. You have an appointment at 4 p.m. tomorrow right in the middle of one of your classes. Awesome. The next day you force yourself out of bed to walk to the office where you wait for your appointment with other miserable college kids. You walk out with a prescription that you need to pick up wondering if it was all worth it.
2. Taking medicine:
When you're in elementary school: Your mom carefully chooses the best medicine and gives you the perfect amount. You feel better almost instantly.
When you're in college: You text your mom a lengthy list of your symptoms so she can carefully choose the best medicine for you. You still call her every five minutes to ask if taking Sudafed and Tylenol at the same time will kill you.
3. Skipping School:
When you're in elementary school: You can't wait to spend all day laying down in front of the TV. You know that your teacher will catch you up on anything you missed the day before and have all of your make-up work ready to go.
When you're in college: You email your professor explaining why you won't be in class today. The thought of missing the lecture, notes, and assignments makes you feel even worse than you already do. You immediately text anyone you remotely know in the class to take notes for you and pick up any extra assignments.
4. Doing Homework:
When you're in elementary school: Homework? You mean those worksheets you have three extra days to complete? Don't even worry about it.
When you're in college: Homework? You mean that 12 page paper and four hours worth of studying? Yeah, power through because they're still due tomorrow even if you fall asleep every time you try to attempt them because you're exhausted. Good luck!
5. Trying to Sleep Through the Night:
When you're in elementary school: Your mom tucks you in and leaves a box of tissues, water and cough drops on the night stand. You cough through the night without fear of waking anyone up and feel well-rested in the morning.
When you're in college: You climb onto your already kind of uncomfortable mattress and try to fall asleep. Every coughing fit comes with the fear of waking up your roommates.
I think we can all agree that being sick in college is infinitely worse than being sick in elementary school. But no matter what age you are you need to take some medicine, slow down and get some rest. Get well soon!
