Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Health and Wellness

The 5 Stages Of Sickness In College

Sickness kills, and in college it's deadly.

Alexander Bukoski

Nov 23, 2015

Hofstra University

236

It’s no lie that college is a rude awakening to how rough life can be. It is especially awful when you get sick and realize that your parents aren’t there to wait on you hand and foot. Being sick in college is, without a doubt, the worst experience you’ll go through in college and here’s why:

1. Denial

That itch in the back of your throat was definitely there last week. I mean it IS allergy season. There’s no way you’re sick. You just don’t have the time. So what if your head is hot? That just means your brain is working overtime! You’ll be fine. Just keep a couple tissues with you and drink a Powerade, and you’ll be good.

2. Anger

AGH! You knew that your roommate sounded a little stuffy last week. Now OF COURSE they gave it to you. WHY?! Why must bad things happen to good people? You wish you could shrink down to microscopic size and kick some bacteria/virus butt. You’re so heated about it, you can’t bring yourself to see other people. You want to be isolated so that you may sulk in your futile state. Hello Darkness My Old Friend…

3. Bargaining

Okay, you’ve been mad enough now. But in your anger you formulated a theory. There must be some all powerful being that is smighting you for your indiscretions. If only you could communicate with it and tell it that you will never be so stupid again. You’ll never go out, drink, or party again if it means you can feel better. You’ll even give up those late-night HofUSA runs if it means this madness will stop. Unfortunately however, your bargaining is usually pointless. Can’t hurt to try.

4. Depression

I hate life. This sickness will kill me. Someone probably planted these germs in my room to kill me. The world wants me to die. I can’t go on anymore. Just leave me in this dorm room to rot. Tell my teachers I tried. Tell my parents I love them. I just wasn’t strong enough and this, this is how it ends.

5. Acceptance

Okay, no, it’s definitely cool. I can live like this. I’ll just take DayQuil every morning and NyQuil every night. I’ll live in a bubble and I’ll find a way to live this imperfectly sick life. It will be tough, but it is my duty to fight through and make the best of it to be an inspiration for those who fall behind me. I shall lead them and show them that they can live with this disability and they can get through it. You are strong. You will fight through this sickness.

Life Lesson
The kicker of all this? You go through all these stages in under 48 hours. The truth is, it sucks being sick in college, but it’s something everyone has gone through. You’ll make it through and it’ll probably be quicker than you thought. It’s not the end of the world. Get some sleep, some fluids, and maybe a trip to the Health and Wellness Center. But above all, take care of yourself. If you’re getting sick, maybe think about taking it easy and getting some rest rather than pushing it. It’s pretty exhausting going through the five stages of sickness.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

25 Thoughts Everyone Has When Registering For Classes

May the odds be ever in your favor.

University of Nebraska Omaha

469

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less

class registration

Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

University of Kentucky

1043

pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

senior year

Entertainment

17 Times "Friends" Accurately Described Life

You can't say that no one told you life was gonna be this way.

Western New England University

230

In the 12 years since it went off the air, "Friends" continues to be adored by millions. The show that gave generations unrealistic expectations about love (or should I say lobsters?) and New York City apartments had a charming cast of characters that everyone could relate to at some point or another. Here are 17 times Ross, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel accurately described life.

Keep Reading...Show less

friends

Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

Denison University

583

Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.