Handling Sick Days in College
Since your family may not be nearby to take care of you during the school year, it's crucial that you learn to be kind to yourself so that you take care of yourself effectively if you get sick.
By Ceanna Hayes Daniels — September 20, 2023
Tags: cold season, communication, flu season, health center, holistic wellness, preventative care, rest and recuperate, sick days, sleep schedule
College is the first time that many students will spend a substantial amount of time away from home. As a result, it's also likely to be one of the first times that they have to handle sick days without much external support. While this can be frustrating and exhausting, planning ahead and implementing a few routines can help to reduce the frequency and severity of sick days.
Planning Ahead: Preparing Yourself and Your Dorm for Sick Days
Work Ahead.
Wherever possible, work ahead on your reading assignments and major projects — it's the best way to prevent yourself from being blindsided by multiple deadlines when all you feel up to is lying in bed. In order to work ahead effectively, set aside some time at the start of each month to analyze your upcoming deadlines, add them to a calendar or planner so you can keep track of them, and strategize about the most effective way to complete your assignments.Invest in Your Immune System.
The best way to keep yourself from falling victim to the colds and flus going around campus is to invest in your immune system long before you start to feel sick. If you are reliably hydrating, eating healthy foods, getting consistent sleep, working out regularly (even if not daily), and taking a multivitamin to fill any gaps in the nutrients you get through your diet, you'll have set up your immune system for success. For the same reason, take vitamin C preemptively, before cold and flu season starts, so that you're prepared for it when it hits in full force.Prepare Your "Medicine Cabinet."
The last thing you'll want to do when you're already sick and suffering is to drive to the store for medicine and food that's easy on your stomach. At the start of the semester, prepare a dorm-room "medicine cabinet" with at least a thermometer, cold medicine, antacids, saltines, and an electrolyte-rich beverage such as Gatorade to keep you hydrated.Try to Keep Tidy.
While it might not seem relevant to preparing for sick days, it can have more of an impact that you realize — in general, try to keep your space clean and organized so that, if you get sick suddenly, you won't be confined to a chaotic, overwhelming space on top of everything else.Getting Through: Sorting out Work and Classes When Sick
Go to the Health Center.
Many college campuses have a health center that students can visit for minor medical care. While it makes more sense to go to the hospital for something major like a broken bone, the health center will be able to confirm that you're sick and get you cold medication if you don't have it. They may also be able to send emails to any tough professors who might not otherwise grant extensions.Talk to Your RA.
While you might decide to power through a minor head cold, many other illnesses will leave you unable to attend class or go to work until you recover. If you don't know what to do, or if you're unable to get to the dining hall for food, talk to your RA to get some immediate help. They'll know what your school's protocol is for things like delivering food to sick students. If they don't know themselves, they'll know who to ask and will help you start to get things sorted out.Email Your Professors.
If you're going to miss class, email your professors as soon as possible to let them know. If your professor takes attendance, having a sick note from the nurse will help you to get an excused absence. Even if your professor doesn't take attendance, though, it can still be valuable to send an email — some may be willing to record their lectures or send over their slides so you can catch up after you've recovered! You should also plan to email your professor as soon as possible if you'll need an extension on an upcoming project.Email Your Professors.
If you're going to miss class, email your professors as soon as possible to let them know. If your professor takes attendance, having a sick note from the nurse will help you to get an excused absence. Even if your professor doesn't take attendance, though, it can still be valuable to send an email — some may be willing to record their lectures or send over their slides so you can catch up after you've recovered! You should also plan to email your professor as soon as possible if you'll need an extension on an upcoming project.Email a Classmate for Their Notes.
If your professor doesn't tend to record lectures and you have the email address of another student in class, ask them if they'd send their notes to you so you don't miss any new material. While this is especially helpful for sick days, having the email addresses of a few other students in each class is also useful other reasons, such as helping you to easily organize a study group during exam season.Contact Your Supervisor.
If you have an on-campus job, contact your supervisor to ask about rescheduling your shift, working remotely for the day, or just calling in sick.Getting Through: Sorting out Work and Classes When Sick
Put out Any Fires, But Otherwise Rest.
Very little in life will be impossible to fix if you take a day off to recuperate. Meanwhile, wearing yourself out for non-emergencies is likely to make your illness last longer. While it can feel as though your sick day came at the worst possible time and that you have loads of work to do, try to take a step back and see what fires need to be put out immediately and what projects can wait until later in the week so you have time to rest and heal.Be Kind to Yourself.
Since your family may not be nearby to take care of you during the school year, it's crucial that you learn to be kind to yourself so that you take care of yourself effectively if you get sick. Yes, you do have a lot of work to get done, but none of it will get done if you stay sick, so don't beat yourself up if the only thing you can handle during a sick day is a comfort movie followed by a nap. Instead, exercise kindness by prioritizing small things that will make you feel cared for, even if it doesn't make sense to someone else. Acquiring a fuzzy blanket and a favorite snack? Check. Playing a familiar song over your headphones to help yourself fall asleep? Check. Wearing pajamas around the dorm even though it's daytime? Check and double check.
Ceanna Hayes Daniels
Ceanna Hayes Daniels is freelance writer and editor. In 2022, she graduated Hillsdale College summa cum laude with a degree in politics. In her free time, she continues to enjoy studying philosophy, political theory, and literature. She and her husband live in Michigan, where the two enjoy perusing bookstores together for new books and old records.
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