Survive Your First Uni Flu

It's a canon event... so here's how to cope with illness

As an international student, getting hit with the flu while away from home can be an eye-opening, exhausting, and educational experience.

You’re navigating new pharmacies, medications, and establishing comforts in your new home.I’ve been there before, so I am going to provide my best tips and tricks for staying sane in the throes of a university flu.

This article is NOT medical advice and will NOT feel as good as your mother’s chicken noodle soup or a hug. Think of it more as emotional and spiritual guidance to dealing with illness away from home.  

---------------------------------------------------------------------- 

#1: Boots haul! 💊

Boots is a super common pharmacy found all around the UK, and carries plenty of remedies for any coughing, sneezing, or fever symptoms that life could throw at you.

Importantly, Boots also has a free-to-download ‘Advantage Card’ that comes with a plethora of bonuses that help you save money. By scanning the card, you can collect points on your purchases that you can exchange for money off, and also a 10% student discount. Considering illness feels ever-present at uni, Boots’ Advantage Card is a must-have for saving money on everything from boxes of tissues & cough syrup to even fake tan! (Boots really has it all).  

#2: Get your nutrients 🍲

Fighting an illness is hard enough, so spending the time and mental energy to make sure you’re eating well can feel incredibly difficult. However, an essential step to getting back on your feet comes from making sure your body is replenished. Some of my favorite ways to accomplish this are:

• Drinking health juices you can find in grocery stores, complete with critical vitamins and minerals. 
• Buying canned soups, which provide you with salts for hydration and easily digestible nutrients while also being pretty cheap.

These are simple, healthy options that are easily found at grocery stores.

If we’re getting specific, my favorite sick-time soup is this one from M&S, which only comes in at £1.10, and will last me two meals when paired with a bit of toast! 

Juice shots from Aldi are great for boosting immunity, if you can stomach the strong ginger taste.  

#3: Don’t be afraid to sit out 💤

As an extreme sufferer of F.O.M.O. (fear of missing out), I find this one incredibly difficult to do.

Uni life is full of exciting activities, events and places to be. However, your body needs to rest, and you won’t get better if you’re at the pub every night. So, skip that salsa dancing class or karaoke night just this once, your pub quiz team will be okay without you, I promise. 

Instead, just sit at home, put on your favorite movie, slather yourself in Vicks Vapo Rub and Sudocream, and have a cup of tea. It’s worth it in the long run. 

#4: Hydration, hydration, hydration 🚰

Staying hydrated will help flush out whatever gross stuff is going on in your body right now. So, drinking lots of water is just the first step.

I would also advise drinking lots of tea, sometimes with honey for a throat-soothing effect, or even broths for added nutrients. 

Another hydration hack is adding an electrolyte powder to your water bottle, which can help restore fluids and vitamins and minerals that you’ve lost during your illness. You can usually get them at Boots or most grocery stores, and brands like Liquid IV or Humantra come in plenty of flavours!  

---------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Hopefully, these home remedies are enough to start your healing journey, even if it helps you feel just a little bit better.

I wish health and wellness upon all of you, as university illness can be brutal. Ultimately, it’s important to remember to listen to your body, as only you know what’s best for you!