My first day of classes is tomorrow and I have currently been throwing up since 6 am. I am in a city six hours away from home, on a huge campus, and am in the honors college with honors classes. I’m hoping I’m not sick tomorrow but I don’t know what to do if I am.
Can you email profs or dean of honors college to let them know of your situation?
If you are, then stay home & sleep.
You can go to the student health center on campus and see a doctor or a PA.
Get something against vomiting like Peptobismol and some immodium. Ask your roommate to go to the health clinic or the closest supermarket if you don’t have any in your supplies.
Email the Dean of students and your professors something like
Dear Professor Z,
My name is X and I am a student in your Freshman 101 9am class. Unfortunately I have a stomach bug and I have been throwing up since six am. I am very sorry but I wanted to be proactive and let you know there’s a high likelihood I won’t be able to attend class. I know it is terrible since it’s the first day of class.
How can I make up the class? Will you have Office Hours later in the week so I can introduce myself and ask any questions I might have about the syllabus?
Thank you very much,
XW
No need to include the dean of students, IMO - just email your professors directly.
Thank y’all for the replies, the email template is really helpful. I’ve taken peptobismal and am attempting to drink water, although I haven’t eaten anything. I’m still sick, and it comes in waves, but I really hope I’m better by tomorrow, and it’s not the stomach flu or something. I don’t know where the student health center is right now, but if I’m still sick tomorrow I will find out and go. Thanks!
Actually I would think you DO hope it is the stomach “flu” because that usually resolves itself in 24 hours or so. Can you sip on some gatorade? I feel bad for you - that stinks no matter when you get it but to be away from home in a dorm is the worst!
Is anyone else sick? Any chance it is food poisoning?
I tried to find Gatorade, but they don’t appear to sell it on campus. And nobody else that I have seen is sick, so I’m not sure
You will remember this for the rest of your life and laugh about it. You’ll probably even share this story with your own children one day. Take care of yourself, go to the health center if needed and if you miss the first day of class so be it.
If you’re still frequently vomiting, then wait two solid hours to try anything in your stomach. Then try a spoonful or so of water or tea every ten minutes. Sugar is harder to digest so stay away from Gatorade, juice or soda until you can get a full glass of water to stay down for an hour. Keep a bottle of water near your bed and try to sleep tonight.
How many classes do you have tomorrow? If you’re feeling well enough to try them, just do classes and then back to resting. Eat and drink healthy tomorrow–low fat, low sugar.
Can your roommate help you with Gatorade or such? You probably shouldn’t be walking around campus, all dehydrated and likely to get cold sweats/pass out. Oddly, regular Coke works well for upset stomach. Just drink the bottle one sip at a time.
It’s OK to miss the first day. Kids are still going to be changing schedules through the week.
Email your profs and tell them you have a stomach bug, so will be missing class. I would not go into more detail than that — they don’t need it. Sprite and saltines are good options. If the food service is serving anything with rice, just plain rice is another soft food that you can ease back in with.
My roommate has been great with helping me, and she is actually the one who looked for Gatorade and such for me. I haven’t eaten anything all day, I don’t think I’d be able to hold it down. I’ve had a little sprite and then water, but can’t keep it down. I’m hoping I’ll be able to keep stuff down tomorrow. I have three classes, and they don’t start until 10:00, so I should have time in the morning to see how I feel. Luckily I have a private bathroom in my dorm, so I don’t have to go far when I do get sick though. I can fully justify the extra money I spent on it. Thanks for the help, I was freaking out today!
The good news is they rarely cover anything of significance on the first day, usually go over the syllabus and give you an overview of the class, so I wouldn’t worry about that too much. Just make sure you get some rest and are able to recover.
Sometimes there is an official note shown in the course registration that says that you have to be there the first day or you will be dropped. So if puking stops, I would try to show up
Be sure to stay hydrated, that’s important. Even ice chips will help if you can’t hold anything else down. Water or Gatorade are better. For me, for some reason, watered down cranberry juice tends to do the trick.
Don’t freak out, this happens to everyone-- though most don’t share your timing.
Be sure to let your profs know, and get lots of rest. Feel better!!
Feeling any better today?
How are you doing? Did you find the health center? Did your professors understand?