So you caught the freshman plague? It's okay. It happens to the best of us, even the upperclassmen get sick. Honestly if you are a freshman and have not gotten sick by now you might have an immune system of a god. Freshman year is when you are going to get sick the most and have the worst bugs. But there is hope, yes there is a way to survive.

First, stay the hell away from me. I do not have time to get sick and if you get me sick I probably will not like you. But in all seriousness if you have anything more than a cold stay in your dorm, the Health Center, or the pharmacy. Do not spread the germs any farther than you absolutely have to. Minimize the damage.

Second, and this is a big one, take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep. Maybe eat a vegetable. This is not the time to exercise but take it up when you get better. Drink water and lay off the caffeine for a few days. If you have trouble remembering when to take your meds set a timer or an alarm on your phone. A girl on my floor almost went to the hospital when her fever spiked after she forgot to take her Tylenol last year, you don't want to experience that. Just basic self care for a few days will have you feeling much better.

The most important thing I can tell you is if you do not get better or are getting worse see a damn doctor. If you think it is an emergency go to the emergency room. If you're unsure you can call Public Safety on their non-emergency for their advice or 855-674-8679 pin 1009. It is a Nurse Advice Line that is available 24/7 which you can get advice from a medical professional. I saw so many kids last year who did not want to see a doctor then had pink eye, strep, bronchitis, and once a staph infection. If you need to get treated just suck it up and go see one. Then actually follow through with the full course of treatment.

Wash your hands. I can't believe I say this to college students but I have seen so many people use the bathroom then not wash their hands. It's gross people. Just wash your hands.

These things may seem basic but when you have midterms, papers, group projects, work, internships, clubs all going at the same time these are the first things to go. At the moment it seems helpful, but it's not. All it does it make you sicker or lengthens recovery time. So if you have the freshman plague, or are just sick because you happen to be a human, take some time to take care of yourself. Future you and everyone you do not get sick will thank you.