As a freshman, adapting to the new environment and assimilating into the new society is difficult enough but for the first time ever I experienced what it was like to be sick without parental help.

As a child, and even as a teenager, whenever illness struck my mom was always there to care for me. Honestly, I took all of these for granted until I actually understood how much of a hassle it is. Things I took for granted include: making me soup, taking my temperature, getting my prescription, and helping with anything that might be difficult.

My illness struck overnight so when I awoke I had no idea what was wrong with me. Usually, I would ask my mom to call the doctor and schedule an appointment to have tests performed. Since my mom is 300 miles away, that wasn't possible.

Although, I immediately called my mom and explained my symptoms. She gave me motherly advice and told me what to do. Of course, she told me to get rest, take appropriate medicine, and to schedule an appointment at Health Services.

Meanwhile, I just felt like sleeping and not getting out of bed.

On the contrary to how I felt, I got out of bed and went to class before going to the doctor. The feeling of sickness was the worst I had ever felt. My whole body ached so my immediate thought was the flu but my sore throat made me also think strep throat. I left during class to go to my appointment where I tested negative for strep but the nurse practitioner was convinced that's what it was. She prescribed me antibiotics, rest, and pain relief suggestions and sent me on my way.

Overall, being sick was horrible it helped me learn how to an adult just a little bit more. From having to care for yourself, get your own prescriptions, to scheduling and taking you to your appointments I learned how the life of an adult works when illness takes over. Some advice for people not living on their own: don't take parental help for granted because once you don't have it, everything must be done alone.

Also, I sincerely apologize to the adults who were in the same situation as I.

Also, having to care for myself made me appreciate my mother more. Even though she was miles away, she found a way to help me even if it was just giving advice.