When the weather gets colder in Boston, it always means people are getting sick. When you’re a college student, you’re more susceptible to catching a cold or a virus, because you’re not always eating healthy or getting enough sleep. You’re usually living in close quarters with other students too. At some point, it seems like the sneezing, coughing and nose blowing is all around you. You’re keeping your distance, washing your hands and using Purell like crazy, but sometimes there’s just no way to escape sickness. Whether it’s a cold, cough or sore throat, getting sick is never fun and is definitely less so when you’re away at school. You’re stressed about missing classes and falling behind, and your mom isn’t there to take care of you. This cold and flu season, if you find yourself suffering with sickness, remember these tips and you’ll survive anything!
Sleep, sleep, and more sleep
When you’re sick all you want to do is stay in bed – and that’s exactly what you should do! Help your body recover and fight your cold by staying rested and getting a lot of sleep. If you need to skip a class then do it. Remember to email your professor and tell them you’re sick and make sure you sound sincere. Also, always give them more than an hours notice. Next time you feel like skipping a class for fun, remember that odds are you’ll catch a small cold at some point, and those excused absences get much better use when you actually really need them.
Get the supplies you need
Think cough drops, tissues, fluids, cough medicine, thermometer and soup. When you feel a cold season approaches, have some “sick supplies” ready in your room or apartment. This way, if you or even your roommate gets sick, you’ll have everything you need at an arm’s reach. Nothing is worse than having to drag yourself out of bed to walk down Comm Ave when you feel terrible! Check CVS if you need to buy something that takes care of your symptoms. Take as directed, and you should feel better really soon.
When enough is enough…
When you’ve been battling a virus, a cold, a high fever, or a sore throat for what feels like years, make an appointment with health services on West Campus. The doctors and nurses are great and want to get you back on your feet ASAP. So when the over the counter medicines and cough drops just aren’t doing enough to make you feel better, bring in some backup and get the help you need!