How to Avoid Getting Sick

By Kathryn Karasek

1. Wash Your Hands

According to Cowell, this is the single most important thing that students can do to prevent the spread of illnesses like colds and the flu. There's a reason for the posters all over campus reminding students to wash their hands --— not only after using the restroom, but also throughout the day — to get rid of the germs that come with consistent contact with others and crowded spaces, like classrooms.

2. Get Some Sleep

In a recent study for the Archives of Internal Medicine, people who sleep fewer than seven hours a night were three times more likely to get sick than those who averaged at least eight hours. It's tempting to stay up until all hours of the night working on a paper or studying for a test, but past a certain point, the lack of sleep will do more harm than good for both your grades and your health.

3. Exercise Often

Disease tends to prey on weak, inactive bodies. Going to the gym, on a run or even on a walk at least three to five times per week can strengthen your body enough to fend off the season's common diseases.

4. Eat Healthily

In college, it's easy to only eat pizza and drink soda, but maintaining a balanced diet can boost your immunity by strengthening your body overall. Most importantly, make sure you're getting enough lean protein and vitamin C. Taking a multivitamin can also help with getting adequate nutrition to keep your immune system strong.