In college, health should always be your number one priority because it affects many things like our mood, productivity and overall well-being.

According to an article published by EverydayHealth, “Living in a closed environment like a college dormitory introduces a whole set of college health issues that college-age kids do not have to deal with at home,” said Guy Napolitana, M.D.

Everybody has encountered the common cold at some point, it usually lasts a few days to a week then you are back to the grind. But what about dealing an illness that’s more severe like chickenpox, pneumonia or a sexually transmitted disease where you have to visit the Enloe Medical Center emergency room.

You’re in too deep with this illness but at the same time, you have a lot of responsibilities to juggle and you’re away from home, meaning mom isn’t there to take of you or cook for you.

Here are some tips on how to survive these tough times.

Get a doctor’s note

Make sure you have a valid doctor’s note to excuse you from classes that are mandatory and even missed exams. Even though you are excused, try to catch up as much as possible. Unfortunately, the coursework does not pause for you.

Have a good support system

We all have that one friend that acts like your mother. Make sure to contact them. If they happen to be your roommate that is a huge plus. You need all the support you can get.

Get some rest

With most illnesses, you need time to heal. So a take a break and allow yourself plenty of recovery time. This means saying no to drinks. According to WebMd, alcohol makes symptoms for many illnesses worst and causes dehydration. In addition, it makes your body’s chance of handling infections even lower. After all, if you aren’t going to class you have absolutely no business going to the bars.

Call your parents

Make a call back home (if this isn’t the first thing you did). Nothing makes you feel better than hearing your mom’s voice. Plus, she will give you tons of advice. After all, mother knows best. If you are lucky, you might be expecting a care package soon.

All in all, tell yourself you will get better and you will. Follow these steps on your road to recovery and always stay hydrated!

Danielle Cortes can be reached at the [email protected] or @theorion_news on Twitter.