The Flu Is The Bane Of My Existence
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

The Flu Is The Bane Of My Existence

Stay healthy, pals, your future depends on it.

148
The Flu Is The Bane Of My Existence
Unsplash

I thought that I managed to escape this season's flu epidemic, but it eventually caught up to me. After spending most of my time fighting it and using Purell and Lysol everywhere, I must have slipped up somewhere along the way. Welcome to the Influenza of 2018: College Edition.

There comes that struggle when we don't know whether it's worth missing class because we are sick. While most professors encourage us to stay home to rest up and avoid spreading the flu any more than it already is, it's hard to choose between our health and school, especially when we are paying to be here and we want to make it worth our while.

The idea of not coming to class when sick is all well and good, but the idea is nearly impossible to carry out. It's not like in high school- where all you have to do is have your mom call in and the teachers are happy to fill you in the day you get back.

Sometimes being sick in high school was a blessing in disguise because that meant staying home (and being able to make up that test you missed was a piece of cake). Being sick in college is a harsh reality and a whole other ballgame. Being sick in college is nearly impossible. Missing 10 minutes of a lecture is equivalent to missing one week of high school. Students would rather go to class sick than rest up and risk their grade dropping.

We can try to go to class and look cute. The reality of it is that no matter how much makeup we put on or how cute we dress, on the inside, we know that we are on the verge of having a coughing fit or a sneeze attack. We may look like we have it together, but we are one sneeze away from falling apart.


And how difficult is it to concentrate when you have a pounding headache? I know that I haven't been able to focus on work while I have been sick. Every time I tried to read an assignment, I fell asleep. Take it from someone who hasn't been seriously feverish since the 8th grade (I really took pride in that, too) imagine my difficulty trying to keep it all together, but this time in college.

And all we want to do is sleep and drink tea and blow our noses as loudly as we want to.


And sometimes it's hard to catch back up once you've missed just one class! Office hours, office hours, office hours! The flu got you down once, come back stronger the second time and show the flu who is boss!

All we need when we are sick is our parents to take care of us, but sometimes that is not possible in a college dorm setting. Of course, there is always a helpful roomie, but there's always the fear of getting them sick. There is nothing like being home when you're sick. Nothing beats the soup that they make (even if it's canned, it's always the perfect temperature) or the tea that they brew for you.

Remember to Purell, use antibacterial sprays, and drink lots of OJ. Chicken soup is delicious, and although tea is not my cup of tea (LOL, get it)? I force myself to drink it because apparently, it is super duper helpful. Stay healthy, my pals.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71561
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133529
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments