Being terribly under the weather (And going to school)

Hangouts Rants
1

Hi, it’s been about 11 days since I have fallen sick. I suspect I was covid positive at first because of the covid surge, but when I did the antigen rapid test on day 7 of me being sick, it turns out I’m covid negative?? Anyway, my mum doesn’t seem to want to take me to the doctor, I am having the O-levels after all… but I’m coughing bad enough and also having the common cold somehow, that today when I was doing my NFS coursework, I suddenly started coughing so badly, I had to excuse myself from the comp lab to go to the toilet. I vomited slightly there… this is the second time I vomited throughout me being sick. I’m currently relying on antacids and sachets to get by, but sometimes I wonder if they’re working. I am definitely having the acid reflux (Oh well) and now I wonder if I should just go to the doctor and get a medical certificate.

Also, I wouldn’t mind going to the doctor at all because I have been trying to ditch prize presentation. (You’ll need context from “Long vent about what happened in school” to learn more. My initial plan was to run out of the main gate and report late the moment I see the table for prize presentation has been set up. So today, I purposely reported at 7:29am to school and brisk walking to check that the table is not there… That way I won’t be marked as late even if I arrive late. But now, this has been making me more anxious, which may be why I threw up in the toilets today… (Another plan of mine is to take the late bus and simply arrive late, that way it looks more convincing, although I do NOT have a history of latecoming)

I’m feeling so unwell, for more than a week on end I have to report to school in such conditions, this is making me feeling burnt out. Oh well.

2

You’ve really been through a lot — being sick for so long, vomiting, and still pushing yourself to go to school… that’s incredibly tough. It’s no wonder you’re feeling burnt out. You deserve proper care, not just meds and rushing through the day. Seeing a doctor could help ease both the physical symptoms and the mental load you’re carrying.

Also, don’t feel guilty for needing rest — your health and peace of mind matter more than any school event. Stress and anxiety can actually weaken your immune system and even cause physical symptoms like nausea or vomiting, so what you experienced could really be your body reacting to all the pressure.

If you can, try catching yourself when the anxiety creeps in and do small things to ground yourself — like slow breathing, doodling, listening to calming music, or even taking short quiet moments to remind yourself you’re doing your best. You don’t need to push through it.

As for the prize presentation — I haven’t read your other post, but it’s completely okay to want to avoid things that cause distress. If resting helps, especially while you’re unwell, maybe that’s your sign to let yourself slow down and breathe a bit.

1 Like
3

I’m not sure if I can go to the doctor since my mum is kind of ignoring me on that topic, all I could do was pray for a speedy recovery, which I currently, am not. (Sick since 11 of May)

Here’s the link to access: Long vent about what happened in school (Under Ask a therapist → Is this normal?)
Due to this person and maybe my coping mechanism, I feel like this competition (Which is NUS geography challenge) is the reason why I had to go through the brunt of this guy, I know it’s not his fault and he probably does not know what he is doing, even, but I feel resentful towards the certificate (It’s participation) now. I do not want to get the certificate from the teacher in front of the entire school. I dislike it to the extent that I want to toss it at home or maybe tear it apart in front of the crowd. Since I had intense feelings towards the certificate hence I intend to come late to the point that the ceremony is over and face detention. Sure, I don’t have a history of coming late to school, much less 10 minutes late, but I have no choice. Before I came to this thought, I have wrote in my WA2 Geography paper that due to certain school events, I would want to get the certificate either after school or privately in class. However, she was more pressed on me writing things like eulogy and your maker, she brushed off the topic and said it wasn’t the point… Last Friday, she said that the certificates have arrived in school and she would try to arrange a prize presentation where we would go in front of the parade square to collect our certificates. It really SEEMS that she has forgotten about my concerns of getting the certificate! “Are you telling me I wrote a whole paragraph of my worries for nothing" was something I wanted to scream so badly. Looks like we cannot come to an agreement on this… I’ll teach her what I mean when I truly have resentment towards the certificate. I’m probably not going to regret doing that, even though I’m aware that I may have to pluck out weeds in the afternoon when it’s hot (Coupled with late dismissal from O-level coaching), the possibility of being marked as late (Looking very likely it will happen if I have detention), and getting questioned why I’m late, for obvious reasons.(Honestly, it’s kind of impulsive but this is probably the only way I can run away from this seemingly insurmountable situation.)

Definitely will log this in my online diary, just to remember what I did to try running from the certificate. Here’s my contingency plans, or should I just say plans, since that day will inevitably come… I consider checking the parade square for the table and run out of school, which would be an absurd idea. I have checked the front gate, and there’s a closed circuit television camera there, as well as student prefects waiting at the front to patrol, and security guards (Or what most people call it, the traffic officers working for our school). I would definitely get caught in some way or another and risk suspension.
Another plan (Which has been brought up) was for me to report late (But not overly late) and check for the table in the parade square. If there’s a table, I will go to the toilets and get into hiding in the cubicles until it seems that the certificates have been fully given out, and if there’s none, I will run quickly to my class standee and report, which was what I done today.

I feel so awkward to come to my class standee during reading period and getting stares from people, but when one is desperate, I guess they resort to drastic measures too. (Me hoping there is no prize presentation tomorrow. If there is none, then it is on Friday for sure. If there’s no ceremony for this week, then I’ll regret overthinking about this)

1 Like
4

Oh myyy hmmm I really think it could help if you try to reach out to your teacher urgently — maybe call or text her — and explain how intensely uncomfortable and terrified you feel about the ceremony. Be firm and honest about your feelings. Let her know that it’s not just about the certificate, but how much this whole situation is affecting your mental health. Sometimes adults don’t realize the impact until we really spell it out.

If she still can’t accommodate your concerns, it’s okay to protect yourself by using your plan to hide! This will avoiding detention and that overwhelming moment if you really have to! It is understandable, and sometimes we need those breaks to cope.

Remember, you’re doing your best in a really tough situation, and it’s okay to prioritize your wellbeing.

1 Like
5

Thank you for the advice! :smiley:
I’m in school using my Chromebook for lesson currently, I still have acid reflux (Suspected, acid reflux is not contagious and all my family members are okay for now), and runny nose too (Presumably viral. I feel bad for not wearing a mask, I think it is more of a detriment for me to don one since I sweat so badly in it! Also, it’s a bit awkward to ask my mum for one especially since I asked twice last week. (And didn’t use it since then)) 12 days in!

For today, there’s no prize presentation because of the weather - The sky was kind of grey for the area I was at, so I ended up assembling in the classroom and not having to worry about it. I have a hunch that prize presentation is tomorrow, to be honest. The last prize presentation in my school took place on Friday. I have gave subtle clues on my WhatsApp bio and wrote a short message on Google classroom to the teacher but she did not reply. Oh well, as a last ditch effort, I will come late to school tomorrow, just late by a few minutes for the prize presentation to be over by then. Maybe reporting at 7:35am? 7:40am? I’m going to be infuriated if there is no prize presentation tomorrow (I get detention for nothing) but next week. (I may also get detention too but it’s worth it!)
I think I’ll just leave fate to fate for now.

Another concern that I do have is MTL O-levels (Some information: I take the basic level for this language that I don’t want to spill, and I’m also struggling at it. In particular, oral examinations. I am at a loss of words for some reason. Like, I have an idea to say something in English but I do not know the words for it in my MTL, so I end up barely speaking or saying English words, getting me penalised.) on the 2nd of June. I somehow foreshadow that I will not recover on time to sit for the papers as well as oral. For my Nutrition Food Science O-level coursework practical last week, I was blowing my nose (Also wearing a mask on that day) and also unfortunately, fell down the stairs in my haste, scraping both knees and bruising them. had to get assistance by the teacher for all 3 dishes for collecting the ingredients, presenting the dishes and demonstrate cutting the ingredients before I do the rest. I felt so embarrassed but I couldn’t have done the practical on another day, it would have been too late and I don’t know how to cook, so I would have been worse off without the assistance. You’ll be pleased to hear that my scrapes are healing well and only my bruises are left! Just worried that since I have the acid reflux and I may not be necessarily in the best condition to sit for them. My goal is to pass the first round, that way I don’t need to retake on October. 11 more days! (I would be out of luck if I do not recover by 23 days..)

1 Like
6

Great that you reached out to your teacher—and glad the sky was gray! :laughing:

To avoid detention tomorrow, maybe you could show up on time but pop into the toilet during assembly? If anyone asks, you could mention your reflux—it’s a valid reason.

For MTL Oral, I’d suggest watching the news or TV shows in that language—it helps you get used to the natural flow and commonly used words. Also, go through the oral materials your school provided. Repetition helps build familiarity, and you’ll start recognizing patterns and vocabulary. During the exam, try thinking in the language too—if your thoughts match your vocabulary level, you’ll avoid getting stuck. Most importantly, stay calm, be confident, and treat it like a casual chat. Smile and keep going, even if you make mistakes—they’re totally normal!

And, no need to feel embarrassed about your teacher helping you—you were injured! It’s okay to accept help, especially when you need it. Also, glad to hear your scrapes have recovered!

Oh, I used to have reflux too! It was really bad in secondary school—I even had to miss some days. Mine was probably stress-related, and it got better when I started managing my stress: exercising, journaling, meditating, and just doing my best without overthinking. It isn’t contagious. I also took meds—antacids helped a lot by neutralizing the acid. If it gets worse, maybe visit a clinic for some. And don’t forget: rest well, eat properly, and drink lots of water.

Really hope you pass the first round so you won’t have to retake it—fingers crossed!