Dear Larry,
Everyone is getting sick around this time of the year. As a boarder, I feel like I am catching a sickness any second in a common space. I don’t want to have a runny and congested nose at the same time and let out awkward sneezes in classes, but I feel like I can’t do anything about this. How do I stop being so paranoid? How do I protect myself from all the bacteria and viruses around me?
Best,
Paranoid Boarder
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Dear Paranoid Boarder,
First of all, don’t stress over it. You can’t stop a virus from spreading, so the best you can do is go on with your day and take care of yourself. For example, eat foods rich in vitamin C, get enough sleep, and be active so your immune system can be prepared to fight off all the sickness. Also, make sure to listen to your body. When you are feeling under the weather, don’t overwork yourself: maintaining a balanced schedule is very important for your mental and physical health. I get that you are always sharing spaces with people in your boarding house, and that can be difficult. When you are around sick people, though, it is okay to maintain a little distance and say “no” when they want to eat your food or drink from your bottle. Remember to be polite! Stay healthy!
Best,
Larry
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Dear Larry,
When I was talking to upperclassmen, they were telling me that friends change over the years. The thought of my closest friends betraying me or gradually distancing themselves from me is really scary. Is it true that your friend groups shift drastically over the years?
Best,
Freshman
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Dear Freshman,
Don’t panic. This is not necessarily true; friend groups can stay the same or undergo minor changes over the years, but these upperclassmen do have a point. People change, and you can’t control these things. My advice is: don’t restrict yourself to a group of people. Don’t feel the need to go out of your way to get to know everyone, but be open to new people and conversations. Just because you aren’t that close with someone doesn’t mean they, or you, did anything wrong—sometimes you just haven’t had chances to get to know them. Don’t stress about it too much.
Best,
Larry