CSULB Flu Season Survival Guide

Most of us tend to think we’re invincible when it comes to germs. I know I do. I like to follow Barney Stinson’s motto on How I Met Your Mother: “Whenever I start feeling sick, I just stop being sick and start being awesome instead.” I choose to believe this works for me 99 percent of the time. It doesn’t. While it may be 70° and sunny outside, it’s still flu season and students at Long Beach State are falling victim to the flu, as well as the common cold everyday.

I could go on a rant about how regular exercise, plenty of rest, and tons of vitamins do wonders for your health, but I’m just a college kid who barely makes it to Pilates class on time, runs on minimal sleep, and thinks that mimosas qualify as a substantial form of Vitamin C. So what I can do is give you six easy tips on how to navigate flu season as a college student!

1. Wash your hands! It’s a given, I know, but the importance just cannot be stressed enough! Most of us work some type of part-time job and whether it is in an office, at a restaurant, or in retail, we all have one thing in common: we handle lots of money—a lot more than we actually make. And let’s face it, money is dirty.  It’s so crucial to continually wash your hands throughout your shift to ward off germs. 

2. Don’t procrastinate! Thomas Jefferson (and our mothers) said it best, “Never put off ‘til tomorrow what you can do today.” Truer words have never been spoken when you get sick. You’ll lay with a thermometer sticking out of your mouth wishing you had at least started on the assignment that’s due tomorrow.  Depending on the class and the professor, a late project may not be accepted, even in the case of illness!

Even if you follow my groundbreaking hand-washing advice, there’s a still chance you might get sick…shocking, I know.  So when you do, make sure to keep these final four tips in mind.

3. Be courteous! The world doesn’t stop moving when you’re sick. If you come down with the flu on a Sunday morning, give your colleagues or boss a heads up and let them know you might not be able to make your Monday shift. Give them time to find a replacement and rework the schedule just in case you’re still under the weather. The same rule applies for school. Teachers appreciate a quick e-mail letting them know you’re not simply blowing off their class.

4. Travel with tissues! Even if you’re just battling a tiny cold, there’s nothing worse than a chronic runny nose during a two-hour lecture. Nobody wants to be “that guy” in the back of the class that sniffles the entire time. It’s just annoying. And a little gross. 

5. Take medicine! Utilize the Student Health Center on campus. Medical coverage is included in our tuition—something many students don’t even realize!  Prescriptions can often be filled for as low as two dollars.

6. Fully Recover!  Don’t be so eager to get back into your normal routine at the first sign of sinus relief or you might just end up getting sick again. Build up your immune system so you can just start being awesome again!