How to Be Sick in College

Hi everyone!

I had such a lovely, relaxing weekend at home, I was almost able to forget I have a cold. Yes, me, who never gets sick...a month into college and I already have a cold. And, what's worse, it's my first time being sick without Mamma to take care of me! So, here's my tips to make a speedy recovery to everybody who can't imagine being alone with nobody to take care of you, and a few tips to avoid getting sick in the first place.

When you're already sick:
1. NyQuil -- learn to love it. You're so active during the day that most of your recovery time is while you're asleep. DayQuil for some reason also makes me sleepy, so I only take it after I'm done with class for the day; NyQuil at least makes it so that I can actually sleep when I have a cold, and sleep is a valued resource. Cough medicine (I personally like Delsym) also keeps your roommate happy because you're not keeping him/her up all night!
2. Take it easy -- I'm not saying you have to sit at home all day when you're not in class, but at least try to remember that the more you push your body, the less effectively it can recover from what it's already dealing with. I don't become completely antisocial unless I'm really sick, at which point I'm not much fun to be around anyways.
3. Don't be afraid of the health center -- I personally didn't go this time because I knew I only have a cold and it will go away, but there are girls on my hall who have already had much more serious issues (think infected cuts, etc.) and have not hesitated to go to the doctor. You're paying for them to be there, so go see them!

When everybody else is sick:
1. Hand sanitizer -- in college, you touch everything, and so does everybody else. We touch doors to buildings, and the hand scanners that let us in to eat, and computers, and chairs...you get the idea. You are now indirectly touching at least fifty different strangers on any given day -- hand sanitizer will be your best friend.
2. Don't touch your face -- remember those fifty strangers you share things with every day? Now their germs are on your face...ew.
3. Don't eat or drink after anybody -- I used to really not care about this one, but now I'm super protective of my food. People tend to understand if you don't want to share fries -- protect yourself!

I used to not be a germophobe, and I still don't think I am, but when you're sharing the same air with 975 other first-years all living in your building, certain measures have to be taken.

What else can I do?? I will not get sick again...this has been miserable!

Have a lovely day!
XO,
Carson