<p>I'm getting way behind in everything because I am very sick. Last week I was severely fatigued and had to miss my math class. Then Friday evening the fever hit and I was out. Over the weekend I ended up developing an ear infection in both ears and a throat infection. Was seen by a doctor at the health center and prescribed antibiotics, but too late to go pick them up. Monday night there was excruciating pain in my ear. When I woke up the next morning I found that there was blood leaking out of it. Went back to doctor. According to them, both of my eardrums have ruptured. They prescribed a stronger antibiotic and some hydrocodone for the pain, advising me to rest for another day.</p>
<p>So I have missed three full days plus one other class. And I am so behind. I have two chapters and a short story to read for English tomorrow, one chapter to read for one of my music classes, music theory homework. I am behind in sociology and have to read through the slides online. In math I'm hopeless - the book does not explain anything and we're already halfway through a new chapter that I don't understand when I never understood the last chapter to begin with. And this is all stuff that I need to have done by tomorrow. I haven't been procrastinating, I've been sleeping. If my ear pain returns and I decide to take a hydrocodone, I will be out for at least 3-4 hours. That's more class time missed. </p>
<p>I don't know what to do, I'm so stressed and overwhelmed and it's not helping that I am miserable and already feel like ****. I have a scholarship to maintain - 15 credit hours and a 3.0 minimum GPA - and on top of that most of my professors have an attendance policy permitting no more than 3-4 absences (even excused absences with a doctor's note and everything). This sucks, what do I do?</p>
<p>Go to office hours. Talk to your professors about catching up, maybe explain the situation, ask them what you can do to get back on track. Figure out what in your math book you don’t understand, and either ask for help or ask for resources that might explain it well. Does your school have a tutoring center you could go to for help?</p>
<p>Absences: Those policies are usually pretty much set in stone… I would suggest not missing more class. (Or, email your professors explaining the situation, doctors notes, beg for an exception, ask how you can make it up/pass/whatever.)</p>
<p>But right now, I’d suggest getting off the internet. Pick one assignment. What’s due first, or what’s more important? Turn off distractions, force yourself to work on that, and just work through the pile one at a time til you’re all caught up. Good luck!</p>
<p>Annndd get well soon. 
Do your best.</p>
<p>With regards to the absence policy, most professors generally count “unexcused” absences. If you can get a doctor’s note, most professors I’ve known won’t count those absences as part of your allowed absences. Get a doctor’s note if you can, and talk to your professors about it to see what they suggest you do. If you have assignments that you need to turn in, some professors may give you some extra time, but not all will. If it’s just reading that you’re behind on, well, just get caught up when you can. If you have to miss an exam, your professors may allow you to make it up (provided you can give them documentation of your illness).</p>
<p>Talk to your professors about your situation (even if you can’t get a doctor’s note, they may be willing to waive the absences if you have nice professors). Make friends in your classes and see if they’ll be willing to let you borrow their notes. See if you can meet with your TA individually to help you catch up, or perhaps try to find a tutor or visit the tutoring center.</p>
<p>Illnesses suck with regards to keeping up with your schoolwork, but I’ve found that it’s one of the best exercises in advocating for yourself and buckling down to figure out something that works for you.</p>