No one likes to get sick, but getting sick away from home is ten times worse. The kitchen isn’t right downstairs stocked with all your comfort foods, you aren’t in your own bed, and you don’t have your favorite furry pet to snuggle with. However, dealing with illness on your own for the first time does teach you a few very important lessons.
1. How to Prioritize
Homework and going to class are obviously very important. But when you’re sick you realize that getting healthy is what really matters. Pushing yourself too far only makes things worse. It’s worth it for the sake of your health to sleep in instead of getting up early to go to the gym. Likewise it’s okay to be in bed by 10:00 if that’s what your body needs to recover. Resist the FOMO! Those extra hours of sleep are way more valuable than a gab sash with your girlfriends. Also, while it’s tempting to binge-watch the day away, Netflix will always be there for you. In the hours when you aren’t sleeping, homework suddenly becomes more important. Getting sick doesn’t have to mean falling behind in class.
2. You Find Out Who Your Real Friends Are
When you’re sick, whether at home or at school, you don’t want to get out of bed. That’s why you gotta find yourself some really great people to be your friends. I got lucky and found my people right away. They went to the store to buy me saltines, ginger ale, and gatorade. They came over to check on me periodically, forced me to get up and eat something once in a while, and incessantly asked me if I needed anything. Having friends like this is so important. Being sick will still suck, but at least you’ll have someone to look out for you. And then the best part is repaying the favor, and getting to play caretaker when your friends are sick.
3. What a Hero Your Mom Really Is
I love my mom so much, but I definitely did not appreciate her as much as I should have until the first time I got sick at school. Your mom is always the one you want around when you’re sick. She always knows exactly what you need, but also what you want. Honestly, sometimes I think my mom can read my mind, especially when I’m sick. Not having that comforting presence when you’re sick can almost make it feel like you’ll never get better. When you have to fend for yourself, you truly realize all that your mom has done for you.
I hope you can get better soon, as being sick is no fun. If not, Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and hopefully you’ll get to actually SEE your mom and she’ll help you get better! If you aren’t going home, enjoy some time off so you can recover before we hit finals week!