How to Fight Phlegm (and Win) During Finals!
December 18, 2009 | Alicia Ostarello
Unfortunately, colds don't mean finals stop!
As December starts to wind down, there’s lots to look forward to – fruit cake, lots of time for DJ Hero, and oh yes…finals! With the stress of finals and the rising chill in the air, college students become more susceptible to the common cold. Unfortunately, even the common cold leaves you feeling weaker than pudding, more clogged up than the dorm sinks, and lacking any sort of zest you might need to pull an all-nighter in order to pass Psych 101. So what’s a college student to do about finals when they are sick?
Well, first of all, if you in any way, shape or form think that your illness is going to hinder your performance on an exam or final paper, talk to your professor with speed and clarity that cannot be beat. If you’re a phlegm-ball of anti-joy, send them an email and place a message to their voicemail. If you can drag yourself out of the dorms and onto campus, get to their office hours or talk to them after class about your concerns. Do not avoid talking to your professor about being ill – they like you, and like to be in the loop about your life. Springing a sickness on them on the day of your exam is a great way to have them say, “Tough cookies.” Opening the lines of communication is key to dealing with illness and finals.
Second, do not in any way, shape, or form think that lying about an illness will improve your performance on an exam or final paper. For starters, I’d have to question your sense of morals and responsibility towards your own education. If you are worried enough about a grade that you think lying is an option, talk to your professor in office hours, after class, or via email. Any professor worth their PhD has your best chance for success in their heart, and they will be willing to help you with material you don’t understand, proofread your papers, and talk you off the lying ledge. If you wait until the last minute, though, your professor is going to give you some nice variation of “Well, doesn’t that suck?” and not offer you much empathy at all.
Thankfully, there are some easy-peasy ways to get yourself over the finals hill in spite of being under the weather. Check out the next few paragraphs for some simple tips to fighting the good fight against a sore throat, a runny nose, and other cold symptoms!
Gargle Gargle Gargle
A sore throat is more irksome than heavy construction work outside your window when you are trying to study. In order to beat that tickle down, be sure to maintain good throat health by gargling warm salt water. I know, it sounds repulsive. But you can do this in the dorm bathroom by taking salt from the dining commons and mixing it into hot water. The saltier the hot water, the better. I usually try to make gargling interesting by gargling pop songs with my voicebox as I swish – good luck in this endeavor!
Hit Up the Pharmacy
For any kind of simple cold, make use of over the counter drugs like Musinex to break up any phlegm in your lungs, throat lozenges or throat spray (or both!) to numb any throat pain, and Nyquil for ensuring a good night’s rest.
Don’t Let Your Nose Run Away With You
A stuffy nose is a bother for you and your classmates. Before you go to class or to a final, make sure you steam out your congestion by taking a hot shower or breathing steam before you head out the door. Taking an over the counter medicine that helps stop a leaking nostril might be your best bet during class time; even though suppressing your symptoms is not the best way to get over your cold, it will help you make it through finals until you can rest away!
Finals are a time of extreme stress, anxiety, and anticipation. Whether you are sick or well, make sure you take care of yourself and your classes – losing a grade because of illness does not have to be a reality; by talking to your professors and taking care of yourself, you can do more than survive the finals crunch – you can thrive in it!
