It all started in the middle of the night. I woke up sweating with a blistering headache and an unbearable stuffy nose.
Sadly, this was just the beginning.
The day after, I trudged my butt over to the health center, where they put me on medication due to my flu-like symptoms. With the migraine still accompanying my every move, I wanted nothing more than for my mom to make me some soup and tell me to suck it up.
But I wasn't home, and my mom was two and a half hours away. So I called her instead and felt that was as good as it was going to get. I picked up some Advil and DayQuil at the local market and moped on over to my dorm.
If you're like me, you've probably undergone the same feelings. It is safe to say that being sick in college is a drag. However, with the right foot forward, one is able to survive their way on to wellness.
Without further ado, here are the steps to getting through sickness in college:
1. Sleep.
I know you have so many things to do and so much studying to catch up on, but what your body really needs most right now is rest. The more you withstand the resting, the longer this sickness is going to be a burden.
2. Stay hydrated.
In the last couple of days I have drunk more water than ever before. It is important to keep drinking water so you can flush out all the nastiness in your system.
3. Get your butt to the health center.
I know the walk is long and it's really cold outside, but this will be good for you. Having someone care for you while you are away from home is a huge perk of the health center experience.
While I was in the health center waiting for my prescription, they had me rest in the back room. The nurse tucked me in with a blanket and asked if I wanted any Gatorade. I hadn't felt that pampered in forever. So if you want to feel better and start tackling this sickness for real, I recommend trudging over to the health services center. Your feelings matter, and they make that very clear.
4. Don't be afraid to miss class.
Really, missing class is not the end of the world. You are ill, and in all honesty, you don't want to get other people ill as well. So do yourself and everyone else a favor and miss a few classes. And make sure you email your professors to let them know beforehand. Truth be told, your health is more important than your GPA!
5. Call home.
Being sick can get lonely. It is perfectly okay for you to give your parents a nice call and ask them for a pep talk.
6. Order Jimmy John's.
Need I say more? If you don't want to go to a dining hall, the best option is to order some good ole Jimmy's.
7. Take a break.
Watch your favorite Netflix show, read a book, look up some articles, and cut yourself some slack. You deserve it.
Being sick in college is never fun, but with your best foot forward, you will be on your way to feeling healthy in no time.
