Second semester is flying by, and my responsibilities are at an all-time high. I’ve got meetings to attend, papers to write, and deadlines to meet. I feel like at the end of each week, I've barely got everything done, and by that time, I have to start everything all over again. So naturally, of course, I got the flu.

Nothing is worse than having 13495023 things to do and the mental capacity to do 0 of them. I spent the whole weekend sleeping in bed, and it took me a long time to realize that I shouldn’t feel guilty for that. I shouldn’t feel bad for not completing all my responsibilities when I got sick because of something that was out of my control.

1. You’re Not Going to be Able to Do Everything, All the Time

I was sitting in bed, drifting in and out of fever dreams when I got a text from my editor asking where my rough draft was. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to get one out in time- and after all, what I could do wasn’t about to be all that spectacular. I could feel the pressure mounting and my anxiety rising with each email and Canvas notification I got. I had three papers due and an exam coming up. But even sick me was allowed a few rational thoughts: I emailed my professors, and surprisingly, they understood: because they’re human. They understand that humans get sick, and that sometimes it happens at the most inconvenient times.

2. It’s OK to Ask for Help

Living in a dorm room isn’t exactly conducive to being sick. I have a Brita, Marshmallows, and some fruit snacks- not exactly the kind of food to have when you’re sick. But it’s important to remember that it’s OK to ask for help. The numbers of texts I got over the weekend offering to bring me food and medicine warmed my heart, and reminded me that you’re never really alone.

3. You’ll Never Miss Mom More

As a freshman, this was my first time getting sick without Mom there to take care of me. Yay, adulting! I missed having her there to stay home with me and #firstworldproblems here, walking the fifteen minutes to the infirmary with chills and muscle aches was not the easiest thing ever.

4. Milkshakes are God’s Gift to Mankind

Bless Archer and bless Steak n’ Shake for providing me with my diet for the last 3 days. Steak n Shake was there for me when I couldn’t eat solid food, and for that I’ll be forever grateful.

5. Friends Will Always Be There for You

I was lucky because my best friend had it at the same time- meaning we could both walk around campus with blankets on and take late night McDonald’s runs with zero shame. It must have been a sight to see- two girls, coughing up a storm and looking like death. But it definitely reminded me that there’s no reason you ever have to be alone. It also taught me that the love of a friend knows no bounds.

6. You Will Get Better

Now that I’m not running a fever, I understand it’s time to get back to the grind. I woke up this morning and opened up my laptop and got to work. Don’t get me wrong- I’m not complaining! I love what I do and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. But it is a funny thought that it took a week of being sick for me to finally sit down and take a break- and see things for how they really are.