Let's face it, it's that time of the semester. Unfortunately, it's also that time of the year. It's the dreaded weeks after spring break and the disastrous weeks of pollen season. That means that illness is everywhere. So, what do you do when you get sick in college? You're left to your own devices, so what do you do?
This is how you need to approach being sick in college.
1. Do not, under any circumstances, go on WebMD.
I know that it's tempting to just automatically assume that you have a brain tumor, throat cancer, or Zika, but let's all take a breath. I hate to break it to you, but if you have a stuffy nose, your head hurts, your body aches, and you have a sore throat, you more than likely have the common cold, allergies, or the flu, not some exotic ailment.
2. Stay in bed, lie there, and don't move.
I know that you might want to go to class because if you miss one class, it feels as though the world is ending. If at all possible, don't go anywhere on the first day when you're sick. The first day of illnesses is normally the worst, so the best possible thing that you can do for your body is to relax and minimize mobility so that your body can have one day to try and recuperate.
3. Eat soup, it's proven to help.
Whether it's psychological or physiological (there's still a debate as to how it helps), it is proven that chicken noodle soup works. So, here's how to get some. When you go grocery shopping this semester, make sure to stock up on your favorite brand of soup. Canned soup stays good for quite a long time, so stock up early this year. Alternately, if you want or need to buy soup and your roommate or friend wants to bring it to you, there are many restaurants where you can purchase it.
4. Take medicine.
As someone who hates taking pills and does not succeed in taking them most of the time, medicine is like public enemy number one. Newsflash, everyone: the only way to get better is if you try. Which, unfortunately, includes taking medicine. Now, it definitely depends on what is plaguing you and I'm no doctor, but you need to take some form of medicine. So, you must stock up on it early. You can get sick at any time, so make sure that you're ready. It's hard for a college student, I know, but you'll thank yourself later.
5. Call your parents.
Your parents have dealt with you for your entire life. They've seen you cry. They've seen you sick. They've seen it all. So, the best advice that I can give you when you're sick is to call home. It always seems like mom or dad knows exactly what to say and exactly what you should do to make you better. There's like a parent sixth sense that knows how to make your specific illness better with certain medicines. I know that it's hard to call home sometimes, but you'll never really know where to start with medicine until you call your family. Call them.
6. Get well soon!
College is stressful and it's easy for your immune system to get run down with all of the all-nighters and studying that you're doing, but it's important to take care of yourself. You're stuck with your body for the rest of your life, so it's vital that you treat it kindly and do whatever is necessary to make it better.
