1. How to Take Care of Yourself When You’re Sick

Colds:

• Blow your nose instead of sniffing the phlegm back into your body.

• Gargle with warm salt water.

• Clear your sinuses with a hot shower or steam bowl.

• Drink lots of fluids and wash your hands frequently.

• Eat easy-to-swallow foods like soups and applesauce.

• Use non-drowsy daytime cold medicine and sleep-friendly formulas for nighttime.

• Clear nasal passages with a sinus rinse (use distilled or boiled water).

Flu:

• Hydrate, gargle, and unclog your sinuses as you would for a cold.

• Get a seasonal flu shot and wash your hands often.

• Stay home until you've been fever-free for 24 hours.

• Eat small amounts of food like soup or plain rice to maintain strength.

• Monitor your temperature with a thermometer.

• Rest and drink plenty of water; popsicles are also helpful.

• Use recommended medications to lower fever, and read all medication labels carefully.

• Take a lukewarm bath if you have chills instead of bundling up.

• See a doctor if your fever doesn’t respond to medication. Seek help promptly.

Food Poisoning:

• Rest and stay hydrated to help your body eliminate the bacteria.

• Sip carbonated drinks slowly and try sports drinks with electrolytes or ice chips.

• Eat stomach-friendly foods like plain rice, soda crackers, bananas, cooked carrots, or oatmeal.

• Call a doctor if symptoms are severe or persist.

2. General Health Tips

• Rest is crucial when you’re unwell. Prioritize your health over deadlines.

• Have a support system in place, whether it’s parents, roommates, friends, or family.

• Stock up on essentials like, bandages, gastrointestinal medication, vitamin C, hand sanitizer, a thermometer, and topical ointments.

• Follow all medication dosage instructions and set reminders for prescriptions.

• Only take antibiotics if prescribed by a doctor and finish the full course.

• Avoid self-diagnosing with online tools; seek professional medical advice.

• Visit an emergency room if you have severe symptoms or injuries.

3. How to Handle Low Moods

• Recognize that low moods are common, especially during transitions like graduation.

• Be aware of symptoms such as hopelessness, changes in sleep and appetite, loss of energy, and decreased interest in activities.

• Seek help from a therapist or counselor. Therapy is beneficial and seeking help is a sign of strength.

• Take care of yourself by engaging in activities that make you happy, whether it’s listening to music, baking, playing sports, or crafting.

• Be patient with yourself; life doesn’t always move forward smoothly, and setbacks are part of the journey.

A. Accept the fact that this will probably be your last chance of enjoying student life before you enter the workforce. Make the best of your time here.

B. Bring essential items such as passport-sized photographs, pens and paper as these items will come handy for your application forms, students identity cards etc.

C. Carry yourself with confidence and this will put you in a positive light with everyone.

D. Degree. Sign up for a broad-based degree with a variety of major and minor courses for you specialise in during your second or third year.

E. Educate yourself on the university policies and student services. Be sure to visit https://www.justlanded.com/ for useful information.

F. Find time to plan your study schedule and attend your lectures and tutorials regularly. Resist the temptation to skip lessons as you might miss some important information on group project/examination. 

G. Greet your classmates with warmth. Display a genuine interest in conversation.

H. Hostel. Sample a taste of living independently by staying at a hostel.

I. Take the initiative to organise group outings and project meetings instead of waiting for things to happen. 

J. Join the student club or society to enhance your personal development and expand your social circle.

K. Keep yourself informed with the latest events at your university.

L. Learning does not have to be confined within the four walls of your classrooms or lecture theatres. Sign up for an international student exchange programme, overseas internship or summer study programme to experience a different culture/way of life.

M. Managing your expectations. It is not uncommon to struggle with comprehending your lecture or tutorial and juggle a mountain-load of assignment/projects. Learn to prioritise.

N. Newsletters. Most universities, local or foreign, will have their campus newsletters. Read it and learn more about the university’s culture, facilities, resources and campus life.

O. Overseas. Keep homesickness at bay and connect with other students if you are studying overseas.

P. Persevere. Press on and give it your best shot no matter how tough the going might be.

Q. If in doubt, question theories and concepts which are being discussed in lectures and tutorials. 

R. Reap the benefits of a good night’s rest. You will be in a fresher frame of mind to handle your workload the next day after a restful sleep.

S. Scholarship. Check out the scholarships available in your field of study.

T. Take things in your stride. Learn from your mistakes and move on.

U. Unassuming. Understand your limitations. Do not take on courses which are not of interest to you. 

V. Verify the accuracy of content in your reports and projects before sending them out to your professors. 

W. Widen your horizons by reading extensively outside of your lecture notes. Being well-read might even result in you employing alternative methods of doing things.

X. A jack of all trades and master of none will not serve you well in your career. Find your niche and work towards excelling in your area of expertise.

Y. Just be yourself. You do not have to change your personality to fit into the ‘popular and trendy’ crowd. True friends will like you for who you are and not what you have to offer. Allow yourself a period of three to six months to adjust to your new environment.

Z. Finally, embrace university life with a dose of Zest. Develop your leadership and project management skills by taking on more responsibilities in your group projects and student union activities. This will enhance your employment prospects.