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How to Survive Finals with the Common Cold

This is a sponsored feature. All opinions are 100% from Her Campus.

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Stony Brook chapter.

Finals week can be one of the most grueling weeks of our college career. Everyone’s head-over-heels for salvaging what they can of their GPAs – making that last stride towards that “A” (or for some, that “C”). It already sucks enough that we basically swim in textbooks and lecture notes during this nerve-wrecking time of year but imagine how much worse you’ll feel when you’re also swimming in snot-filled tissues, headaches, and chills.

No one likes getting sick but when we do we can only hope to deal with it as best we can without it disturbing a tremendous part of our lives. Without a doubt you’ve already heard things like “drink lots of water”, “take medicine”, and so on, but there are some more ways you can take care of yourself while hitting the books. It happens to the best of us so prepare yourself for finals week with the cold using these tips!

Get adequate sleep

I don’t care how many finals you have to study for, get your sleep! You’ll already be mind-numbingly sick while studying so don’t make yourself mind-numbingly sick and tired while studying. Getting enough sleep will help you focus more on the task at hand and you’ll feel a little more refreshed and ready to tackle a study session than if you skip your 8 hours.

Keep tissues nearby

Runny noses can be so annoying – wiping your nose with your sleeve ten times a minute is never fun! Keeping tissues handy will let you just get it all out right there so your runny nose won’t be so runny anymore.

Stay motivated with friends

Get a couple of friends together and have a study session. Sometimes when you’re extremely miserable it really helps to have your buddies in your company. You’ll feel better already when hitting the lecture notes with your friends. This is also great motivation to not slither back under your sheets because everyone will (hopefully) be actively engaged with their work.

Do a little light exercise

Moving is probably the absolute last thing you feel like doing when you’re grumpy and sick but getting your blood pumping for even just 30 minutes will lighten your mood and make you feel refreshed and ready to attack the next five chapters of your textbook. Don’t use being sick as an excuse to be a couch potato!

Know that the nearest dining hall location that has tea

Sipping some tea does wonders for a sore throat! It’ll work so well you’ll find yourself drinking tea pretty much all day. Find the best way to get to a nice hot cup of tea when you really need it.

Try some Cold-Eeze

These on the go tablets are life-savers for those long hours studying to reduce your symptoms. 

Go to your favorite study spot

Try not to stay in bed too much, especially not if you’re looking to actually get work done! If you’re in your bed you might end up falling asleep and drooling all over notes! I know you’re sick and just want to lay under the covers carelessly but unfortunately, finals week isn’t over yet. Until it is, you need to do your best to stay attentive and get work done. Going to your favorite study spot is a great way to get yourself away from your bed. 

Jasmin is a News Blogger at Her Campus and chapter member at Her Campus Stony Brook. She enjoys blogging, photography, exercising and super sharp eyeliner. Check out her college lifestyle blog Macarons & Mascara and follow her on Twitter @jay_su_
Her Campus Stony Brook Founder and Campus Correspondent Stony Brook University Senior Minnesotan turned New Yorker English Major, Journalism Minor