Hopefully everyone noticed that there was no “What’s On My Mind?” last week. If not, then start reading and paying better attention.
I was expecting millions of letters and e-mails to the Prairie asking why it wasn’t in the magazine last week but I seem to be misguided. Well for those of you who enjoy my work, I am sorry I was at home in bed for the entire week with the flu. Not just any flu, it was that piggy flu that everyone seems to be worrying about these days.
Being sick sucks; the achiness, stuffy head, cold sweats and endless amounts of snot and nasty fluids. It’s gross and terrible in every conceivable way. It’s funny how we take for granted just how healthy we are. I can remember saying, “Gosh if I could just feel healthy again.” I hate having to ask for help as well, and don’t even get me started on doctors and their waiting rooms that are always empty. However, it still takes 45 minutes to be seen. Being sick is terrible, but what may be worse is the return to school and work.
This turned out to be a huge ordeal as the week I missed happened to be the week where everything was due. There is a little thing called midterms that I missed. Thanks to some teachers I was able to take midterms online and found ways to get those done. The problem has been daily work and papers. I was able to complete things as the week came to an end, but I have seen every poster and buff alert e-mail warning me to stay home to stop the spread of sickness. So, I did my part and stayed in bed. Now teachers who do not accept late work are punishing me and not letting me turn in my COMPLETED assignments.
I believe that if the campus is going to put out a school wide policy to stay home, then teachers should be forced to break some of their usual practices. I’m sorry I got sick and you have to go against your syllabus. The students won’t think any less of you, I promise. Just take my doctor’s note and have a heart. Or I guess I could avoid this altogether and just show up and cough on you. Now, don’t get me wrong. There are many who choose to work with you and are very understanding. But to those who don’t, lighten up a bit and realize that life happens, accept late work, heck dock off ten points, but don’t cause people to fail because they caught a bug.