Sick often and not sure how to work my study schedule around it

[V781]

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I am not asking for medical advice. My previous thread was confused as a call for medical advice. I only post this info to describe what I deal with through the school year. I'd like to know how to work around my illnesses - staying ahead of the class and getting an A.

I've dealt with a cold/influenza 4-5 times per year. Usually 3-4 of these are in the fall and winter...then I get another 1-2 in the spring.

As you might have guessed, being sick so frequently affects my studying. I just cannot concentrate when I am sick. I can't think about anything other than how miserable I feel - can't even focus on a television show. And so, I fall behind.

Each illness lasts about 1 week...and is intense for the first 3-4 days. Usually, for some reason, after the fever (if present) and fatigue, I spend a day feeling absolutely stomach sick. It's never just a slight sniffle for me.

Yes, I've brought up my lack of immunity to my doctor but with a simple blood test, they think I'm fine. I do take multivitamins and I do work out. My serving job can be pretty stressful but I can't quit working. My sleep is sporadic, getting enough sleep on non-class days and only a few hours on class days. [I post this because I know people will try to suggest working out, eating, sleeping well].

 

[Lannister]

4-5 colds per year is not unusual, that's within the normal range for adults akaik.
If you're getting the flu every year, that's different, although chances are what you think is the flu is actually just a bad cold.

To address your question about difficulties studying when sick: sorry, it sucks, I have the same problem. You just have to suck it up, unfortunately. Dayquil/Nyquil is a lifesaver.

 

[floatingribs]

Relating to this unfortunately. For me, figuring out which times I could study best/manage class without a migraine was key (happened to be early morning) and if it was possible I'd always keep my harder classes in the morning. That and recording lectures to listen to when I was less groggy.

Beyond that though, just force yourself to study/go over stuff for 20 min daily so when the exam comes at least you won't have to cram while feeling so sick.

 

[Boogy'sChick15]

I'm in the same boat OP. Usually 1-2 colds a quarter (lasting 2 weeks), and at least 1 lung infection each year (lasting a month or so).
What helps me is doing what I can to get ahead as soon as possible. The moment I have access to a syllabus, if its provided, I start working on reading or HW assignments. That way if I get hit with a cold I can take a week to relax because I am already ahead of the class. I also keep my classes in the morning, work on assignments right after class, that way I have my evenings to relax if I happen to be sick.
Also, when studying, try giving yourself a small break to relax after certain time periods, that really helps me prevent migraines.

I would also advise communicating with professors if you are sick. I took a midterm in my intro to E&M physics class while I was sick with bronchitis, and it really affected my ability to focus, plus I had to step out during the test every 5 minutes. I failed the test and it dropped my A to a C. I mentioned it casually to that professor a couple quarters later in my upper div. physics class with him and he said I should have told him because he would have been willing to let me retake or come in a different day to take the test.
You will be surprised with how understanding some (not all) professors can be sometimes.

Other than that, it's just a lot of will power, force yourself to push through the flu or cold and just keep working.
Mucinex is my savior though, it helps get me back on my feet faster.

 

[plshelpvanxious]

I relate. I was sick on and off during my freshman and sophomore year, and I feel like mw brain shuts down when I'm really sick (meaning I have a hard time focusing/ studying).
About a year or so ago I stopped getting sick. I don't think I'm doing anything differently, but I havent even had a cold in over a year. Maybe my immune system finally learned how to do it's job haha 🙂 I hope the same happens for you

 

[raiderette]

As a resident, and later as an attending, you will be working sick. As my mentor likes to say, vomit is no excuse to leave a ward, only a patient's room. Practice working through the illness. Don't work as a server, but get out of bed, eat and drink plenty of fluids. If you have trouble focusing, take more breaks.
Most importantly, take care of yourself so you don't get sick. Get a flu shot, wash your hands often and get enough sleep.

Sent from my QTAQZ3 using Tapatalk

 

[V781]

I relate. I was sick on and off during my freshman and sophomore year, and I feel like mw brain shuts down when I'm really sick (meaning I have a hard time focusing/ studying).
About a year or so ago I stopped getting sick. I don't think I'm doing anything differently, but I havent even had a cold in over a year. Maybe my immune system finally learned how to do it's job haha 🙂 I hope the same happens for you

I hope!! It's absolutely frustrating. I try to read something when sick and it goes over my head.

You're getting the same amount of sleep? Same stress levels? Same diet? I get the flu shot most years and it doesn't seem to affect the number of times I fall ill.

Classes haven't yet started for me but I'm currently trying to prepare for them and am factoring in the likelihood that I'll be sick at least twice during this fall quarter and twice in the winter quarter. I admittedly considered my propensity for illness when thinking about how many classes I could handle.

 

[V781]

As a resident, and later as an attending, you will be working sick. As my mentor likes to say, vomit is no excuse to leave a ward, only a patient's room. Practice working through the illness. Don't work as a server, but get out of bed, eat and drink plenty of fluids. If you have trouble focusing, take more breaks.
Most importantly, take care of yourself so you don't get sick. Get a flu shot, wash your hands often and get enough sleep.

Sent from my QTAQZ3 using Tapatalk

I thought medical professionals were expected to stay home when vomiting, with fever and with diarrhea...? Some of their patients are very young or elderly, or immunocompromised....Also, sick doctors make mistakes.

I was thinking that working in the health field, it would be understood if a few sick days were required. In fact, I thought it would be frowned upon to go into work when obviously ill.

 

[psychgirl95]

As a person with chronic illnesses, I've learned that the best way not to get behind due to a flare up (or in your case, a cold) is to stay ahead. If you can aim to be about a week ahead in each of your classes, then you won't get so behind.

 

[AttemptingScholar]

I am not asking for medical advice. My previous thread was confused as a call for medical advice. I only post this info to describe what I deal with through the school year. I'd like to know how to work around my illnesses - staying ahead of the class and getting an A.

I've dealt with a cold/influenza 4-5 times per year. Usually 3-4 of these are in the fall and winter...then I get another 1-2 in the spring.

As you might have guessed, being sick so frequently affects my studying. I just cannot concentrate when I am sick. I can't think about anything other than how miserable I feel - can't even focus on a television show. And so, I fall behind.

Each illness lasts about 1 week...and is intense for the first 3-4 days. Usually, for some reason, after the fever (if present) and fatigue, I spend a day feeling absolutely stomach sick. It's never just a slight sniffle for me.

Yes, I've brought up my lack of immunity to my doctor but with a simple blood test, they think I'm fine. I do take multivitamins and I do work out. My serving job can be pretty stressful but I can't quit working. My sleep is sporadic, getting enough sleep on non-class days and only a few hours on class days. [I post this because I know people will try to suggest working out, eating, sleeping well].

Same! My immune system was always not great and easily affected by stress, but last year I was getting sick (minor colds) something like twice a month. Eventually, I realized that my suitemate in my dorm was cleaning the bathroom to a degree that was exemplary for most college students but not good enough for me, so I just started doing her chores on top of mine and it mostly stopped. Did stop me from getting two different infections at the same time during finals, though.

I try and stay ahead and have gotten very good at pushing through illnesses (I was a mess after finals when I let myself relax!). When that doesn't work and my brain just can't concentrate on words, I try and be productive on other things--cleaning, organizing, going for a walk, dance. Things that don't require it. My sicknesses are not nearly as bad as yours, but I don't like to do nothing so I have to do something. I'm sure you will have a different solution, but it's probably going to end up one of two ways.

The problem: being sick takes time away from studying and you can't stop getting sick.
Possible solution: study while sick (probably with help of medications)
Possible solution: study a lot while not sick (probably with help of study tips)

This thread can give you ideas on how to go about that, but unless you stop being sick (I'm going to assume your sleep situation is more complicated than described and you've tried everything for that), it's going to come down to one or both of these.

Good luck!

 

[bioboy23]

I hope!! It's absolutely frustrating. I try to read something when sick and it goes over my head.

You're getting the same amount of sleep? Same stress levels? Same diet? I get the flu shot most years and it doesn't seem to affect the number of times I fall ill.

Classes haven't yet started for me but I'm currently trying to prepare for them and am factoring in the likelihood that I'll be sick at least twice during this fall quarter and twice in the winter quarter. I admittedly considered my propensity for illness when thinking about how many classes I could handle.

My step dad gets sick all the time and has asked a nurse a few times to pull his face mask down so that he can throw up in the trash then continue operating. You can't really just stay home sick as a resident or attending. Other doctors and many patients are scheduling their lives around coming to see you.

 

[sliceofbread136]

I thought medical professionals were expected to stay home when vomiting, with fever and with diarrhea...? Some of their patients are very young or elderly, or immunocompromised....Also, sick doctors make mistakes.

I was thinking that working in the health field, it would be understood if a few sick days were required. In fact, I thought it would be frowned upon to go into work when obviously ill.

It really depends on how bad you are and if you can get someone to cover for you.

 

[AttemptingScholar]

I thought medical professionals were expected to stay home when vomiting, with fever and with diarrhea...? Some of their patients are very young or elderly, or immunocompromised....Also, sick doctors make mistakes.

I was thinking that working in the health field, it would be understood if a few sick days were required. In fact, I thought it would be frowned upon to go into work when obviously ill.

You would hope so, but from what I've heard the gunner culture really permeates in hospitals. Tired doctors make mistakes and 36 hour shifts are still a thing. I agree that's what it should be, but that's not what it is. If you're still at the stage of shadowing, you might ask a doctor if that's true in your area.

 

[futuremdforme]

I thought medical professionals were expected to stay home when vomiting, with fever and with diarrhea...? Some of their patients are very young or elderly, or immunocompromised....Also, sick doctors make mistakes.

I was thinking that working in the health field, it would be understood if a few sick days were required. In fact, I thought it would be frowned upon to go into work when obviously ill.

Are you kidding? Doctors basically never take time off... it's bad.

If you are that affected by colds, you should really reconsider the career...

 

[V781]

Are you kidding? Doctors basically never take time off... it's bad.

If you are that affected by colds, you should really reconsider the career...

For some reason, my immune system has just really tanked over the last few years. Growing up, I only had a cold/flu twice per year and one stomach virus every decade. If I could get back to this point, it wouldn't be a problem at all. Just lately my body doesn't deal well with viruses. Never before would I get stomach sick from a cold/flu. It just absolutely runs my body down nowadays. I know there are people in here laughing about a simple cold but the affect it has on a person varies by individual and their immune system.

I often see people that claim to have a cold running around, laughing and playing with a simple wipe of the nose here and there...Their infection is very minor. It's hard for them to empathize.

 

[AttemptingScholar]

For some reason, my immune system has just really tanked over the last few years. Growing up, I only had a cold/flu twice per year and one stomach virus every decade. If I could get back to this point, it wouldn't be a problem at all. Just lately my body doesn't deal well with viruses. Never before would I get stomach sick from a cold/flu. It just absolutely runs my body down nowadays. I know there are people in here laughing about a simple cold but the affect it has on a person varies by individual and their immune system.

I often see people that claim to have a cold running around, laughing and playing with a simple wipe of the nose here and there...Their infection is very minor. It's hard for them to empathize.

Yeah, there are a lot of types of colds, it sounds like you have the worst of it! If your bloodwork came back normal, a large part is probably environmental stuff. Keep working on your sleep schedule, keep your living space very clean and open the windows whenever you can. College is very often bad for people's immune systems--a lot of stressed young adults who haven't learned how to be healthy and clean all living together and going out til 3 in the morning. Medicate. Unfortunately, this probably won't have a simple solution. Good luck!

 

[futuremdforme]

For some reason, my immune system has just really tanked over the last few years. Growing up, I only had a cold/flu twice per year and one stomach virus every decade. If I could get back to this point, it wouldn't be a problem at all. Just lately my body doesn't deal well with viruses. Never before would I get stomach sick from a cold/flu. It just absolutely runs my body down nowadays. I know there are people in here laughing about a simple cold but the affect it has on a person varies by individual and their immune system.

I often see people that claim to have a cold running around, laughing and playing with a simple wipe of the nose here and there...Their infection is very minor. It's hard for them to empathize.

I'm not trying to be a dick, but literally you will be miserable if you are very sick from a cold. Just like some people who are very affected by lack of sleep might also have a hard time in medicine, and should definitely not pursue certain specialties.