Back to university following common cold (5)
I believe the answer is:
parky
'cold' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'back to university following common' is the wordplay.
'back to' suggests the final letters.
'following' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'common' becomes 'park' (synonyms).
The final letter of 'university' is 'y'.
'y' after 'park' is 'PARKY'.
(Other definitions for parky that I've seen before include "Chilly" , "UK TV interviewer who is famous?" , "Cold (informal)" , "Crisp" .)