<p>So I'm moving to California (from NJ) next Friday and have been extremely excited to make the move for over a year now. However, almost a week away from making the big move I've found myself sick with a horrendous stomach virus. I went to the doctor and got medication and am feeling better and have no doubts about being healthy when it's time to leave, but it got me thinking:</p>
<p>Without my parents to drive me to the doctor, make sure I wasn't passed out with my head in the toilet, grabbing things like soda and advil and overall just being there comfort wise, how would I been getting through it all?</p>
<p>Obviously I know the majority of Americans end up living by themselves and getting through sicknesses by themselves eventually, but I have a knack for getting REALLY sick whenever I get sick and it worries me to be 3,000 miles away.</p>
<p>Any suggestions on staying healthy and coping when the time eventually comes?</p>
<p>The Student Health Center at your school will be your friend! As for staying healthy, I'll tell you the same thing I told my daughters--who, of course, ignored me. Try to eat well and get as much sleep as you can--a tough task for students inundated with homework. Wishing you health! :)</p>
<p>If you're living on campus, the clinic would be walking distance, and hopefully you can get a friend to take you there.</p>
<p>I know what you mean though. This year when I caught the flu, I was literally falling over if I tried to stand up. So instead of going to see a doctor, I spent a week just sleeping in my room. My mom didn't find out about it until after because I was never conscious long enough to tell her.</p>
<p>In addition, get a flu shot, which probably will be available in Oct. at your student health center. College -- particularly freshman year -- is very stressful, and particularly at midterms and final exam periods, students are very vulnerable to getting sick. Having a flu shot can prevent your getting the flu at a very inconvenient time.</p>
<p>To note though, this year the strain was odd and it didn't matter if you got the flu shot or not. It was an odd year for the flu, and the flu shot is never a guarantee.</p>
<p>i was sick pretty much all year (mono, tonsillitis, 58408402 other things), and it really, really sucked to get sick at school. i was used to my mom taking care of me (she's a nurse) and it was an adjustment to have to walk myself to student health and then sit lonely and miserable and feverish in my dorm room trying not to get behind in classes.</p>
<p>for a while i thought my lifestyle was making me sick (i partied a lottt first semester and kissed many a boy haha), but once i got a steady boyfriend and got sick of going out 4-5 nights a week, i still got sick all the time, so i think it was an immune system thing. also, my doctors have told me that living in such close quarters with so many people (unavoidable) makes a lot of freshmen sick. make sure to keep your room clean (not just tidy, CLEAN) so that you're not living in so many germs.</p>
<p>getting sick at school SUCKS. i'm the same as leah377, i get sick constantly -- when i was little i would be sick every month. now i get sick atleast a few times throughout the winter for a week or so at a time, and even in the summer i'd get sick (i'm sick now. LOL... it sucks. and i'm still working)</p>
<p>i really, really am horrendous at taking care of myself, and i once fell sick at school during finals when my family were all on vacation in AUSTRALIA. needless to say, i panicked and slept all day long and drank a TON of some asian herbal medical crap, and it was not a very fun time in my life, especially with two roommates that stay up til 4am yelling (i do not kid). just be sure to get plenty of rest (as much as you can in a college dorm anyways), drink alot of fluids, maybe have soup in your dining halls, eat alot of fruits, veggies, and so forth... tylenol/advil PM extra strength helps too, esp the cold kind.</p>
<p>Ughh I get colds all the time, and I take care of myself like crap. (ie I didn't go to bed last night...)
I'll bring some medicine and hope for the best.</p>
<p>The best bet is to really work hard on keeping your immune system strong. I send my son with an arsenal of vitamins and such to try and keep illness at bay. An excellent product is called Emergen-C. It comes in a box full of packets that mixes easily with water or any cold drink. It is loaded with fast acting vitamin C and B vitamins and works really well. At the first sign of an illness - take up to 3 packets spaced out throughout the day and you will wipe it out. Works like a charm in my family. </p>
<p>If there is a health food store near where you are going to school it would be good to go and get healthier products to keep in your room. If not, then stock up before you leave and on holidays to get you through. My son is lucky to have a Whole Foods right near campus. Good things to have on hand....health bars - I like Greens+, but any bar packed with nutrition will do. They keep well and can serve as a quick breakfast on the fly and a good snack in between classes. Juices - containers of orange juice, acai juice, green drinks, smoothies are great to keep your energy and nutrition up. Many campuses have places to get smoothies, like Jamba Juice or similar spots. Make use of them and get the immune boosting add-ins if they offer them.</p>
<p>Otherwise, as said by others, take the best care of yourself as possible. If you have a few late nights try and fit some naps in. Use the gym to exercise. Eat as healthy as possible in the cafeteria.</p>
<p>Get to learn your university student health services on campus. They tend to pass out a lot of brochures and phone number lists. Save them! Make sure you keep a box of medicine in your dorm room (necessities like cold/flu medicine, rash treatment, aspirin/ibuprofen, indigestion, etc.). Those definitely come in handy. Also keep a copy of your health insurance card number around so that if you have to go to the hospital, you have the information with you.</p>
<p>Exercise, get plenty of sleep, and eat healthy. Drink plenty of water and eat less junk food.</p>
<p>try to eat healthy and drink lots of fluids when ur sick. having vitamin supplements also helps keep ur immune system strong. hopefully there is a student health center nearby so u can go there if u need to.</p>