You survived the flight, found a place to live, and have spent a few weeks getting used to your new uni campus. Then all of a sudden, you catch a cold that seems to last forever. Sound familiar? You’re not the only one!
Here’s why so many of us get sick at uni, and some of our suggestions to help you stay healthy while you get stuck into life on campus.
New country, new germs
Every place has its own mix of everyday viruses and bacteria. As a local, you’ll just build up some resistance to these over time. When you move to a new country, your immune system meets a brand new bunch of bacteria for the first time, and it might start to freak out!Â
Add in Australia’s different climate, seasons and even food, and it’s no wonder your body needs a while to adjust. This is a completely normal part of settling into life abroad, and it usually passes within your first semester or two.
Sleep, stress and homesickness
Starting uni in a new country comes with a lot to manage: enrollment, new friendships, different ways of teaching, not to mention homesickness. All of that, combined with late nights studying or adjusting to a new time zone, can slowly wear down your immune system.Â
Poor sleep and high stress make you more likely to catch whatever is going around, and it can also mean you take longer to recover. If you’re finding it a bit hard to adjust, our guide on managing homesickness as an international student has some practical tips that might help. Looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as looking after your physical health.
Eat healthy and get your flu shot
Look, we get it, you’re busy! Healthy eating might have slipped down your list of priorities, and you’re surviving on instant noodles and takeaway. As tasty as these foods can be, they’re probably not giving your body all the nutrients it needs to stay fit and healthy. Try to make time on weekends to meal prep for the upcoming week, and make sure to keep healthy snacks in the house.
If you’re not used to cooking for yourself, our guide on easy winter recipes for international students has plenty of ideas to help you eat well during the colder months.
It’s also worth getting a flu shot from your university clinic or local GP, which can help stop you from getting the flu, and reduce the severity of your symptoms if you do happen to get the virus.
Getting sick during your first months at uni in Australia is common, but it doesn’t have to throw off your whole semester! Prioritise sleep, eat properly, wash your hands often and don’t push through exhaustion just to keep up with classes. Definitely take the time to understand your health insurance (OSHC) and what it covers, just in case you need it.
If you do start feeling unwell, don’t just wait it out and see if you’ll get better. Book an appointment with your doctor early, rather than waiting until you’re really struggling.Â
Getting sick at uni is super common, but taking care of your health is one of the best things you can do for your studies and for enjoying your time in Australia.