It all started with a soreness in the back of my throat, which escalated into a full-blown cold. I was angry because I wanted my first week of classes at college to be perfect. This was the week I made my first impressions, and I didn't want everyone to think of me as sickly. Despite all of my hopes, I went in to my first college class with a runny nose and an annoying cough. While I cannot put a finger on how I got my cold, I do know that staying up late every night did not benefit me. When someone first starts college, they want to spend as much time as they can around everyone in order to make friends, and this can weaken someone's immune system.

I am a voiceless, vomiting, pink-eyed mess; there is nothing more attractive than that. Going to late night Convo and watching movies every night might not have helped, but getting a cold was not entirely my fault. College is an vastly different environment, and someone is bound to get sick first because of that; that person just happened to be me. If there is one piece of advice I could mention, it would be to bring cold and flu medication because it is a necessity.

I have learned that missing class in college is a whole different ballgame than missing class in high school. In college, missing an hour of class discussion is crucial and can set anyone back in their studies. It is important to notify professors of absences and speak to them about make-up work if it is available. I have also learned that it is okay to accept help from others. Sometimes, I am stubborn, and I don't want anyone to help me because I think I can do everything, but sometimes, I need other people. I cannot cure every sickness I get alone. I need to allow myself to be vulnerable because no one is going to think any less of me. People are genuine and they care about my well-being, despite my fears.

Now, I sit here in my bed waiting to leave for my doctor's appointment, and all I can think about is how nice it was to finally be able to sleep more than six hours. Sometimes, we all need a day to relax and rejuvenate.