We have all experienced it in one way or another – you are sitting in class, listening to the lecture or taking an exam, and someone (or even yourself) is constantly sniffling and coughing. It is definitely one of the most annoying parts of the end of the semester. I’m not sure if it’s because everyone is sleep deprived, not taking care of themselves, the weather, or just a combination of all of these factors. Either way, none of us want to get sick at the most stressful time in the semester, so here are a few tips for taking care of yourself.
1. Wipe down EVERYTHING, EVERY TIME.
I am not joking about this one at all. There are so many germs on every desk and table you use. If you’re going to be somewhere for any extended period of time, make sure to wipe down the hard surfaces around you. This is just one example of one of my wet naps after wiping down the desk I was about to use at the library.
Pretty disgusting, right? I wish I could say that was the worst one I've had. Now imagine all the stuff that you CAN’T see on those wipes. I feel that this is my secret to not getting extremely sick every semester. Ever since I began doing this, I haven’t had to go to the doctor or anything.
2. Carry and use hand sanitizer.
After you are done in class, before class starts, or just whenever you’ve touched a lot of doors, walls, etc. I am not saying use it every time you touch something, but using it periodically throughout the day will help keep away germs – especially if you touch your face a lot.
3. Stay hydrated.
I do not mean the caffeine you are overdosing on. I also won’t tell you to stay away from caffeine, because I know that is not possible for some people. But just have a water bottle with you at all times. And try to drink at least a glass of water for each caffeine drink you have.
4. Take your vitamins.
It can just be your daily multi-vitamin or anything you take normally, but just remember to be taking them. Also, make sure you get plenty of Vitamin C to keep your immune system up. Personally, I just make sure to take some Emergen-C anytime I’m sleep deprived, stressed, or just feeling a little off. It is just an extra precaution to take in order to ensure you don’t get sick.
I know you have probably heard all of this before, but it’s always nice to have a reminder in a time when you’re super stressed and busy. Good luck with finals everyone!
