Our Opinion: Students should take advantage of the numerous flu-shot clinics on campus.

You roll your right sleeve up to your shoulder.

The cold cotton brushes against your skin as the nurse prepares you for — the shot.

Out of the corner of your eye, you can see the needle as it gets closer … and closer … and closer.

And then …

Oh, that’s it? Well that wasn’t so bad.

One little skin prick now can prevent even more pain and suffering later.

Student Health Services, Maxim Health Systems and Intravene are holding several flu-shot clinics on campus during the next two weeks.

For most, the cost of a flu shot is the same cost as dinner and a movie.

For those of you who have BlueCross BlueShield insurance, the deal is even better. It’s free. You can’t beat free.

For those who don’t have BlueCross BlueShield, paying $20 or $25 now could save you even more money if you factor in the costs of medical visits, prescription medication co-payments, over-the-counter remedies and the potential for lost wages if you have to miss work.

That doesn’t even account for how valuable your time is.

The flu knocks you off your feet and can potentially ruin a semester of grades if make-up work and missed lectures become too much to handle.

This is the worst possible time of the semester to get sick.

Papers and tests are piling up with no end in sight.

Most students are stuffing their faces with junk food late at night between cram sessions, and exercise takes the back seat.

The lifestyle of a college student — both inside and outside of the classroom — is very demanding.

Stress levels are steadily rising and outdoor temperatures are steadily falling — meaning your body is more vulnerable than ever to illness.

More importantly, preventing yourself from getting the flu will also prevent your friends and classmates from getting the flu, since it’s highly contagious for the entire duration of its symptoms.

So do yourself a favor and go through a few moments of discomfort and anxiety now in order to avoid a lot more discomfort and inconvenience later. It only hurts for a second.