If you don’t get sick every year, I envy you. In high school, there were always days when I missed school because of an illness. My mom would take the day off to nurture me back to health with soup, tea, crackers, and medicine. If I was in particularly rough shape, she would drive me to urgent care or schedule a visit with my pediatrician.
But what do you do when you’re sick in college—when your mom isn’t there to drive you to the doctor or make you soup? I’m here to tell you everything you need to know about getting sick on campus!
If you’re wondering where to get food when you feel too sick to leave your dorm, students can order Sick Meals through the Mammoth Mobile App. Each student gets seven sick meals per semester, which can be picked up at Frost Library. Most people have a friend pick up their meal and drop it off at their dorm. I recommend keeping tea bags (you can grab some from Valentine Dining Hall) in your room for future illnesses and investing in a hot water kettle (they’re about $20 on Amazon) so you can soothe your throat. I also keep spicy ramen in my dorm for sick days because the spice helps clear my sinuses.
Where should you go when you need urgent medical attention? For immediate care, call Amherst College Emergency Medical Services (ACEMS). This student-led organization operates 24 hours a day while classes are in session, offering basic life support. ACEMS can check your vitals and call an ambulance to take you to Cooley Dickinson Hospital for emergency care if necessary. Ambulance transport is free for students covered by Amherst College health insurance, and ER costs are waived if you’re admitted for ongoing care.
If you don’t need emergency care but still want medical attention, you can schedule an appointment with the Keefe Health Center on campus. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On weekends, you can visit the UMass Amherst Health Center (UHS) since Keefe is closed. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What should you do if you need to miss class? First, email your professor to let them know. If you have a longer-term illness and need to miss several classes, you may also need to contact your class dean so they can help communicate with your professors and support you in keeping up with coursework. Most professors record their lectures and/or post class slides, so you can usually catch up remotely. In general, Amherst professors are very understanding and accommodating. So if you’re sick, don’t be afraid to rest in your dorm and skip class—your health comes first.
I highly recommend keeping a thermometer, cough drops, cough syrup, allergy medicine, and fever reducers (Tylenol or ibuprofen) in your dorm room. Yes, you can get some of these from the health center, but it’s always good to be prepared!
I hope this information is helpful as you prepare for college. My friends at other schools get sick all the time, so it’s wise to be ready for the possibility (though I hope you stay healthy!). Living in close proximity to other students increases your chances of catching something—but don’t worry. Amherst College offers great resources, like the Keefe Health Center and Sick Meals, to help you get through it.
If you have any questions about illnesses on campus, my experiences with being sick, or anything at all, reach out to me at ipatel28@amherst.edu.