Being sick (obviously) sucks, but being sick in college is way worse. You’re surrounded by people and trying to juggle schoolwork, social plans and sleep deprivation while also trying to get better ASAP without losing your mind. While this post won’t magically cure whatever you have, it will definitely help make your being sick in college experience a little bit more bearable.
1. Try to rearrange your schedule.
While there’s no way you can totally free up your schedule, if a meeting can be moved or a due date can be extended, make a point to do it. Focus on getting rest and taking it easy.
2. Soup!
Whether the idea that soup makes you feel better when you’re sick is actually based in fact or not, have some soup anyway. Soup is the quintessential sick food. Did you know they even have soup you can make in a Keurig now? I was really skeptical–I mean, who wants soup coming out of the same place as your coffee? It’s actually delicious and I absolutely recommend.
3. Keep your recreational activities non-physical.
Aside from sleeping, there’s not much else to do while you’re sick. Avoid falling into a Netflix-induced abyss of boredom and guilt and try something new. A fun, free and interactive thing to do that doesn’t require being super active is Luden’s Beatbox. Yep, Luden’s as in the cough drops that soothes irritated throats. Luden’s Beatbox is a fun, interactive and free music mashing site where your fans can make their own tunes and beats.
With Luden’s Beatbox, you can play DJ and mix your own beats by layering the sounds with a wide array of instruments, vocals and synthesizer effects. After you’re finished, you can post it to your wall with custom generated GIFs and share with all your friends. Definitely check it out at https://www.ludensbeatbox.com/.
If you seek some inspiration, check out the beats already created by following the hashtag, #LudensBeatbox and be sure to follow and share your beats with Luden’s Facebook and Twitter.
4. Cough drops and tissues are your new best friend.
If you have some throat discomfort, use some cough drops. They’ll help soothe your throat and Luden’s® has them in a ton of flavors including Wild Cherry, Green Apple, Strawberry-Banana and Watermelon. You shouldn’t have to suffer through a slightly sore throat alone! Be sure to have a box of tissues at your bedside. Definitely keep some tissues and cough drops in your coat pockets. You never know when you might need them.
5.Wash your hands constantly.
Don’t spread your germs with those around you. Be courteous and wash your hands to kill germs and stop them from spreading. If your roomie gets sick, it might become an endless cycle of illness and no one wants that. Furthermore, while you’re sick, why not read up on tips for how to avoid getting sick in college or check out this awesome tracker by Luden’s that helps keep you ahead of the cold and flu with the Cold + Flu tracker. It literally tracks symptoms and outbreaks in your area, which I think is pretty cool. Being sick sucks–prevent it from happening again by using the tracker and reading up on tips.
6. Put on your pajamas or sweatpants.
It’s extra acceptable to look unkempt and sick when you’re sick in college. Truthfully, pajamas and sweatpants are acceptable on a normal day but now is the time to get as comfortable as you can. Break out those sweatpants from high school and your favorite pair of fuzzy socks if you’re feeling it.
7. SLEEP.
This is the greatest and most important way to survive being sick in college. Sleep is the key–us college students are generally sleep deprived and being sick is an excuse to really focus on getting enough sleep.
8. Watch some of your favorite movies.
Watch some of your old favorites so you don’t have to have as much focus on the film. Personally, when I’m sick I get a little bit groggy and don’t feel like having to pay attention to brand new plot. Also, if I’m watching something I’ve seen before it makes it so much easier to give in to sleep. Stick to the familiar and watch an old classic like “She’s The Man” or a movie you’ve seen a thousand times like “The Devil Wears Prada.”
How do you deal with being sick in college?
DISCLAIMER: This post has been sponsored by Luden’s, but all words and opinions are my own.
