On January 24, 2024, I woke up with a headache and a 99.4 temperature. I did not have a class that day until 11 a.m., so I waited to see if it would go down. Long story short, I had the flu, and missed a week’s worth of assignments. Even as I was sick in bed, watching plenty of movies, what stayed on my mind the most was the homework that I needed to catch up on.
It is important to maintain an up-to-date status on schoolwork, even when sick. When students are ill, their mindset is typically on trying to get better, and justifiably so. However, that results in students having to make up work after they get back, on top of having to do all of the work that is assigned after they make their return. However, through this entire process, there are some things that students can do in order to work through their period of medical misfortune.
- Get in Contact with Your Teachers
Believe it or not, teachers want to do everything they can to help you succeed! Even though different teachers have different policies on late work, if you are sick, they will almost always aid you however they can. In an interview with one of SNU’s faculty members, Melany Kyzer, Ph. D., expressed how even though she does not accept late work, “if a student communicates with me ahead of time, I will work with them.” Even though it is wise to make sure your work is finished in a timely manner, teachers will give grace on assignments as needed, allowing for the best results to be produced.
- Work On What You Can
When I was out with the flu, my condition went up and down, and I certainly had days in which I felt better than others. On those days, I worked on homework. However, it is still important for the body to rest, so do not overwork yourself. I would recommend doing one normal-sized or two smaller assignments on the days in which you feel better in order to make some progress while still allowing yourself some rest.
- Rest
Speaking of resting, this is the most surefire way to get better. Even though students are stressed about the assignments they may have to do when they get back, the best way to get back is to rest your body and mind. This could take many forms, whether it be watching movies, doing a relaxing activity, or just sleeping your sickness off. Doing this will not only allow you to be at your best when you return to school but also possibly speed up the healing process as well.
It is difficult to be able to complete every assignment that is given out while a student is out for multiple days, or in my case, a full week of class. However, these tips can help to reduce the problem that comes from being sick. It allows students to lighten their load for when they get back while also obtaining some grace from their teachers and letting their bodies heal from whatever sickness afflicts them. Being sick is certainly a pain, but it should not keep students from excelling in the classroom or being the best version of themselves that they can be.
Photo by Kristine Wook on Unsplash