As a college freshman it was weird getting used to going to classes and not hating them. I hated going to class in high school; I never felt guilty when I skipped class, but the classes I take now are very interesting and sometimes they’re fun too. I go to every single class, I take notes, and I do my homework. However, I got sick this week and missed class a couple times, oops. I soldiered through a couple of classes though and here’s how you do it!

1. Learn to sleep with your eyes wide open.

Don’t full on sleep, but full consciousness is overrated and nearly impossible when you’re sick. It’s like meditation, and it’s almost impossible not to if your professor speaks in monotone. Just make sure you can take a few notes while resting.

2. Wear comfortable clothes.

You’ve probably been dressing nice, it’s the beginning of the year and you still care if you look good. It’s time to drop that. I’m not saying you should go to class looking like you just got out of bed, but a pair of yoga pants and a sweater are perfect.

3. Learn to take notes.

Let’s be real, you’re sick, everything you just heard your professor say is going in one ear and out the other. Taking some average quality notes you can look back on when you have to do homework will be very helpful!

4. Don’t take nighttime medicine in the morning.

It’s tempting because nighttime medicine works better and it lasts longer, however, it will make you very tired and you will probably not want to go to class. Or maybe you’ll sleep through your class which is a waste when you could have slept in a bed.

5. You just do you.

You have to take care of yourself first, eat breakfast, go to sleep at a reasonable time, keep warm. You’re parents are not going to be there to tell you what to do to get better, it’s up to you to make sure you get healthy fast. If you are too sick to go to class, recognize that and skip class. Maybe go to the doctor and make sure everything is okay.

Being sick is awful and a lot of the time you have to wait it out- it’s a side effect of humanity. Chances are you won’t do as much homework as you should. Don’t get discouraged and decide never to do homework again, this will not help your grades, just get healthy again and get back to it.