Cramps😭

I am 18 and get cramps so bad that it makes me sick. Medicine usually doesn’t help that much and I just have to wait it out. I am tired of not being able to do anything at the start of my period because of the pain I am in. Also, my college is really strict about the attendance policy so I can’t continue to miss school because of it. Does birth control really help with cramping? Are there any home remedies that help you besides a heat pad/hot water bottle?