We’ve all been there—your first college cold. It can be scary having to face any illness by yourself. Still, the first time you’re stuck in bed without someone comforting you is intimidating.
When you move to college, it’s important to be prepared for your first time getting sick. We spoke with Anna Clem-Badhwar, DO, a Primary Care Physician at OhioHealth Campus Care at Ohio University, about how students can ensure they are prepared to tackle their first illness of the school year. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Catching your symptoms early
Sometimes it feels like your parents can tell you’re sick before you can. Is there a way to catch it before it’s too bad? Common symptoms to keep an eye out for are sleeping more, feeling more tired than usual/low energy, body aches or chills and a decreased appetite. Dr. Clem-Badhwar sees things from viral respiratory infections and strep throat to mono and the stomach flu at the campus clinic.
“It’s important to pay attention to signals your body is giving you and take action.” Says Dr. Clem-Badwhar. “If you feel fatigued, try to get more sleep. If you have a fever, take tylenol or ibuprofen to ease your fever. If your appetite is down, stay hydrated with water, broth and electrolyte solutions.”
If you start feeling off, you can complete a self-assessment, like this one:
- Did you oversleep?
- Did your walks to class make you more tired than usual?
- Were you struggling to focus in class?
- Have you lost your appetite?
- Did you feel like you couldn’t leave your dorm, or worse, bed?
- Have you felt overly cold? Are you wearing more clothes than seasonally appropriate?
If you’re noticing some of these signs, don’t wait until it gets worse. Dr. Clem-Badhwar recommends scheduling an appointment with your school’s student health center or, if symptoms increase or worsen, visit an urgent care near you.
Once you start feeling sick, having the right supplies can make a big difference in how quickly you recover. Choosing the right type of care for you is another way to ensure a speedy recovery.
What do you need?
Aside from the First Aid Kit you got at Costco before you moved in, here are a few things Dr. Clem-Badhwar suggests you include in your homemade first aid kit:
- Cold medication (Mucinex, Sudafed)
- Allergy medication (Allegra, Zyrtec)
- Tissues
- Thermometer
- Vitamins
- Melatonin
- Emergen-C
- Alcohol wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Antipyretics and/or analgesics (Tylenol, Ibuprofen)
- Cough drops and/or throat lozenges
- Saline nasal spray
- Electrolyte packets (LiquidIV)
It is also important to prepare your space for when an illness hits. Your dorm room isn’t always the most comfortable place to be, so making it feel like home is key. Stock up with blankets, heating and/or cooling pads, a humidifier and a good-quality fan.
Know your resources
We know—the first thing you do when you start to feel sick is Google what’s wrong with you (via TikTok). It is important to avoid self-diagnosis. This only increases anxiety and worsens your symptoms.
Before you jump online, visit your school’s Student Health Center. For example, the Ohio University Campus Care, an OhioHealth location, offers both Urgent Care walk-ins and Primary Care appointments. Let the professionals give you your diagnosis.
“If symptoms are worsening or not improving after a few days, it’s time to come in to see a health care provider to help figure out what is going on,” Dr. Clem-Badhwar explains.
If you find your physical illness taking a toll on your mental well-being, don’t be afraid to utilize your school’s mental health services. Taking care of your mental health is one of the most important ways to recover from sickness and stay healthy.
Don’t be afraid to ask for support
Being sick for the first time by yourself can be scary and overwhelming. Remember, you’re not the first person to go through this. “It’s ok to admit being nervous or scared,” Dr. Clem-Badhwar assures. “We try to support our patients as much as possible by answering questions and making them feel comfortable.” Gathering support from peers who have been through this before can be very helpful.
Keeping your roommate informed is beneficial to both of you. Giving them a heads up when you start to recognize symptoms can help them stay healthy. Don’t be afraid to ask them to bring you a meal from the dining hall or grab you a tea on their way home from class. If you’re not close with your roommate, your dorm resident advisor is there to help you.
Dr. Clem-Badhwar told us that it is not uncommon for patients to bring a friend or roommate to their appointment for support. She knows this may be the first time you’re seeing a health care provider without your family there, and she recommends turning to your friends to fill that gap.
Keeping up with your classes while out
The transition from high school to college classes is a unique experience. Be sure to read your syllabi for all classes thoroughly to understand absence policies. Each professor is different and will have different expectations for students who miss class.
When considering skipping class to stay home and rest, Dr. Clem-Badhwar tells you to trust yourself. “If you have had a fever over 100.5, or vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours of class, you should stay home.” Says Dr. Clem-Badhwar. “If you just have a cough and you feel up to going to class—go—but wear a mask so you don’t make others sick.”
If you decide to stay home, connect with a classmate to share their notes from the classes you are missing. Plus, this is a good way to make a new friend!
Feel your feelings
Being in college is hard. Make sure to give yourself grace when things get difficult throughout the school year. It is normal to feel homesick, especially when you are physically sick. Take a moment to call your family and thank them for their help in the past.
It is okay to feel pity for yourself during these difficult times. Watch your comfort TV show, take naps and FaceTime your friends to make your days a little easier. Most importantly, be kind to your body and mind. Tackling an illness by yourself is tough, but you can do it.
If you’re a student looking for some extra guidance on navigating college check out our College 101 series for all kinds of support and education.
College 101 is an ongoing and collaborative series between OhioHealth Marketing and Communications Interns. This article was written by our 2025-2026 intern and The Ohio State University student, Regan Simpson.
