Is it just me, or did the campus-wide plague hit earlier than usual this year?
One thing I learned early in my college career is that there are pockets of time where it feels like every other person is coughing, sneezing and wheezing their way around campus. It is for this exact reason that so many people get sick at the same time. With so many students living, eating and studying in such close proximity, viruses spread faster than the knowledge that Wawa is giving away free coffee on Free Coffee Day.
However, I think these periods of time reveal a deeply considerate side of our community. Being sick this semester has further proved to me that my friends are caring individuals. During this particular campus-wide plague, I have truly seen the meaning of “One Tribe, One Family.”
My journey started three weeks ago. I’m in a sorority and it was the second weekend of recruitment. By the end of that Friday night, my voice was gone. Since my throat wasn’t sore, I assumed it was due to the incredible amount of talking I had participated in over the course of the previous week. When my voice did not return to me two days later, I went to the doctor, where I was diagnosed with laryngitis and an upper respiratory infection. A week later, after developing a terrible cough, I was diagnosed with bronchitis.
It was not the most glamorous week of my life. I couldn’t help but feel that I had truly peaked as I took an hour-long nap in the lobby of Urgent Care while wearing a surgical mask and sweatpants.
Nonetheless, when my friends learned that I had succumbed to this iteration of the College of William and Mary virus, they showed care and compassion. One friend surprised me when he came to my house with soup. Another friend offered to also come bring me soup after I cancelled our dinner plans. Yet another told me that I could have notes from class and that she would make me … soup. Long story short, I was rolling in chicken noodle.
As I said, so many people around campus were sick that I didn’t think my illness was a big deal. It’s something that happens every year. I had medicine, and I wasn’t out of commission for long. But my friends showed me that they cared about my well-being. The Tribe is a family — and my family took great care of me.
Now I’m feeling good as new as we head into the last week before fall break, which is great because there are some exciting developments happening at my house. One of my housemates went home and brought back her dog and a “George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine 360.” I honestly don’t know which I’m more excited about. Both Polly the golden doodle and the grill will be sure to provide us with wonderful times with our friends this week.
