I’ve had the flu for a week now, and I still don’t feel fully recovered. But since I’ve missed too much school already, I’m forcing myself to go back anyway. 

I hate being sick because you never get to just be sick in peace. There’s always an assignment waiting for you or a test you’re expected to be ready for the moment you walk into class. 

Take my Collin classes, for example. On Thursday, I had to wake up bright and early at 6 a.m. after getting practically no sleep the night before to take my economics final exam. The second I finished, I immediately went back home and crawled back into bed only to wake up and finish writing a minimum 1,800-word research essay for my Collin literature class due that same day. Tissues in hand and all, I spent hours forcing myself to finish it because turning it in late would’ve meant an automatic zero. 

What makes being sick so much worse is the assumption that being sick gives you endless time to be productive, when that simply is not the case. 

In reality, when I’m sick, my energy levels come in waves. For almost an hour, I’ll feel okay and convince myself I can get a lot done. Then suddenly, I am completely out of it again. 

Being sick is especially hard when you’re an anxious person like me because I constantly feel like I am wasting time by sleeping, and I go way too hard on myself for not being productive. I know that stress only makes it harder for me to recover, but knowing that doesn’t just stop me from stressing out. 

Doctors always say that when you’re sick, your priorities should be sleeping, drinking enough water, and eating enough food. That advice sounds simple, but it’s really hard to follow when there are a thousand different strings pulling you in every direction. 

It’s even worse when you get sick during the last week before a break. Teachers are scrambling to get grades in, and they’re often much less flexible. So what do you do? You stress out the night before you return, trying to learn everything you’ve missed and cramming for a test you know your teachers aren’t going to give you much grace on. 

I’m going to get through this week by holding onto one thought: there’s only one week left. Once this semester ends, I won’t care about grades nearly as much as I’ve cared for the past 3 years. After this week, let the senioritis officially begin. 

Before I Lea-ve, 

Take care of yourself and find your reason to get through this week.