Ah, December is here and with it, the snow, the holidays and an innumerable amount of bacterial illnesses. People coming down with colds, coughs, sniffles and things of that sort are bound to happen – and in staggering numbers.
Why am I talking about this? I would say, mainly because as a student going to a major university, I’ll be coming into close proximity to some of those people. I hate being sick as much as the next guy or gal. So, what should we all do?
Stay home. Can’t get much simpler than that. Stay home, drink lots of fluids and get a lot of rest. Most professors aren’t going to get too angry with you for not wanting to get the rest of their students sick. I’m sure that your fellow students wouldn’t be too pissed off about that either.
For those people who refuse to stay home, all I have to say to you is this: Uncool. Sure, I can relate to you not wanting to miss class, and sure, it’s not like you can miss a final, but you have to think about your own well-being. I urge anyone who is feeling ill to talk to his or her professors. If you are feverish, nauseous or just overall sickly, call them or send them an email. They are not entirely unreasonable, as even they get sick from time to time.
I can remember a time when I was very sick and feverish. That day I had three classes. I went to my first one, because what was happening that day couldn’t be made up. I called my other professors (they usually give you their phone numbers in their syllabuses) and told them that I just couldn’t make it to class that day.
I suffered no loss of credit from either class. The only real ramification was having to catch up on notes and homework.
Just think people, getting sick sucks. If your fortunes have been less than satisfactory, keep it to yourself. We the homeostatically-fit majority wish you the best, but really don’t want to be around you. Sorry to say it so bluntly, but it’s true. Put yourselves into our shoes.
In addition, I can suggest for you to keep yourself occupied. Read a book or catch up with your homework. Worst case, you can watch a movie you’ve never seen before. If you’re into video games, do that. Just keep to yourself and feel better.
So, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not at all a big fan of being around sick people. Maybe it’s a direct result of growing up with a germaphobe for a mom. Maybe it’s just a burgeoning want for people around me to not be walking bacterial Petri dishes. I’m not entirely sure, but I am sure that I just don’t want sickness around me, ever. I’m sure the reader can appreciate that.
