Whether you are away from home and living by
yourself in your first apartment, being part of a missionary training program,
or attending college, there is a time everyone must grow up and put away
childish things (I Corinthians 13:11).
Meghan
Callahan (@meghanc303) is the author of the internet article, 10 Ways to Deal with Sickness in College, found on
www.collegeinfogeek.com. Below are practical tips that can be of use to any
college (or university) student in this tricky life situation.
1. Recognize that you are sick Denial is not the first step to recovery. If your nose
is running harder than the leaky faucet on your floor, your cough is louder
than the [geese outside your window], and the library employees refuse to touch
the books to you try to return, it is time to admit it to yourself. You are
sick.
2. Rest, rest, rest, rest, rest What this does not look like: staying
out of class and then going out partying anyways. Running marathons. All-night
study sessions. What this does look like: you, in your bed,
alone resting.
3. Get hydrated Drink
some water. Not alcohol, not soda or juice—water. Hot tea can be very soothing
on a sore throat, particularly with honey and lemon. However, water is the
ultimate elixir for illness. Keep those cells lubricated, and help wash the
germs out!
4. Let your roommate know that you are sick This way they can make plans to sleep elsewhere (if
you are highly contagious or you need time to yourself) or at least use extra
precaution. Hey, they might even bring you an extra box of tissues or grab you
some food from the dining hall if you can’t make it that far.
5. Realize that missing class is never good—but then miss
class, if you simply must There
are some illnesses where it would be kinder for you, your classmates, and your
professor if you just didn’t attend class. Here’s a handy list of questions to
ask: Am I vomiting? Am I highly contagious? Am I likely to pass out or
faint? Will going to class make me feel so ill that I will miss even more class
in the coming days? If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions,
you should not be attending class. Email your professors or teaching assistants
(who [can be] very understanding) if you are in fact extremely sick. And then
get back to resting and water!
6. Visit the health center on campus The health center is an awesome place to get cold
medicine or diagnosed if you think you might need antibiotics. Also, most
health centers will provide you with a note that verifies that you are, in
fact, ill—professors especially appreciate this physical evidence of your
infirmity.
7. Sleep It’s
like resting, but even quieter and less work.
8. Try not to fall behind on your work As much as you can, keep up to date on your reading,
essays, chemistry labs, etc. But do realize if you don’t give yourself time to
heal, you will grow even sicker and fall even further behind, which is never
worth it!
9. Tell your friends if you are sick They deserve to know if they were exposed, they can
vouch for you to professors when you are absent from a class that you share,
and they are your best chance at getting soup/crackers/vitamin C capsules/a
lift to the pharmacy in the nearest town.
10.
Call home I know nothing makes me feel better when I’m sick than
hearing my mom’s voice, no matter how old I get! Added bonus: a care package is
almost assured after that phone call.
Count Yourour Blessings
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