How to beat freshers’ flu…and actually study
Freshers’ flu is part and parcel of most students’ first few weeks at university; but there are steps you can take to try and avoid ailments and ensure you are fighting fit to enjoy your student days and make the investment in all those university books worthwhile.
The term ‘freshers’ flu’ is a little misleading, most people won’t suffer from full-blown flu; a combination of drinking too much, living on fast food and not getting enough sleep will usually contribute to most students developing colds and coughs and generally feeling under the weather.
Of course, everyone wants to go out and have a laugh during freshers’ week but taking a few very simple steps will help you to stay healthy and ensure that you make the most of your first term at uni. Eating well will do you the power of good; fast food may seem cheap and easy but doing a weekly shop and cooking for yourself will usually work out much cheaper, especially if you team up with your flatmates and split the bills and cooking responsibilities. If freshers’ week has passed by in a blur and you realise you haven’t even seen a vegetable for days, stock up on multivitamins.
Getting plenty of sleep is also important; try to balance your nights out with nights in so that you are getting enough rest. Some people are lucky with their timetables, but if you have a busy schedule, you will find that staying out late starts to take its toll. If you do fancy a night on the tiles, try to drink plenty of water throughout the night; this will help to keep you hydrated and make your hangover much more bearable the morning after.
Exercising is another great way to boost your immune system and fight off freshers’ flu; it’s also a brilliant opportunity to meet new people and make the most of the facilities on offer.
Working may not be a priority in the first few weeks but it’s always a good idea to get organised so that you are ready for when the workload starts to increase and it’s time to get down to serious study.
Whether you do an online course or attend university on a full-time basis, your tutors will provide you with a course book list, which will include a number of titles, such as Open University books or textbooks, which you will need for the coming term. You can stock up on student stationery before you leave home; there are some amazing offers around so you won’t have to part with too much of your student loan.
University is a great opportunity to meet new people, try new things and have a great time, but it’s important to remember why you are actually there. If you eat well, get plenty of rest and avoid going over the top on your nights out, you should be able to combine your studies with having a truly unforgettable freshers’ week.
