Yes, It is that time of year again. New classes, new books, new supplies, new clothes and tons of new people. The only problem is, along with all these new people, brings new germs. As any college veteran knows, living in close quarters with all these new germs...I mean students...means everyone eventually shares the same new cold. The first few weeks of school can be stressful enough, add on a cold that drains the life out of you, and one can only imagine how hard it can be. Save yourself, and start prepping now in order to skip this years latest cold.
Here are some tips and tricks to keep yourself happy and healthy this semester!First and foremost, wash your hands.
Sounds easy enough right? What most of us forget is to wash whatever else our hands come into contact with right after we wash them: our phones. Get some Clorox wipes and remember to wipe down your phone and laptop every once in a while. Adding all those new numbers means more new germs!
Take your vitamins.
It can be hard enough adjusting to the new food served on campus, which is not always the greatest. I know how tempting pizza for every meal can be, but there are not nearly enough vitamins that you need in pizza to keep your immune system going (even if the government declares it a vegetable). In addition to getting your daily dose of protein, calcium and assorted vitamins, try taking a multi-vitamin if you feel you are not getting enough.If you feel a cold already coming on, try supplements such as Emergen-C packets or airborne to really help boost your immune system.
Get some Zzz's.
What will really bring you down faster than anything else, is lack of sleep! It may be tempting to pull all nighters with your new found friends, but try getting at least the 7 recommended hours of sleep each night.
If you do happen to catch a cold....
Go to the Health Center on campus
The last thing you want is to keep "waiting a day or two to feel better", when it might not be an ordinary cold at all. Strep throat and Mono both are very contagious and easily may seem like a simple cold in the beginning. The worse thing that can happen is that they tell you that you do in fact, just have a cold, and you will be feeling better soon!
Drinks all of the liquids.
Orange juice, hot teas and water will be your best friend for the next few days. Making sure you are hydrated is key.
Orange juice and even warmed up pineapple juice are great to drink when you have a sore throat. The acidity is said to kill whatever germs may be causing it.
Hot tea with honey will coat your throat, relieving the pain. It may feel better, but may not be fully healed, so make sure not to strain it.
Gather your supplies.
A trip to the nearest drug-store may be necessary. Make sure to pick up some of the essentials: ice-pops (for a sore throat), Thermometer (to keep track of temperature), Tissues (aloe/lotion brand), Humidifier (I personally love the Vick's Vapor Rub brand & can double as a skin treatment when you are not sick!) and your favorite comfort food.
Last but not least...rest!
You need to let your body re-coop. So whether that means skipping the latest frat party or bar hop this weekend, let it be. There will always be more to come. The faster you get better, the better you will feel!
One last tip!
For those poor souls who have the unfortunate luck of having a box of tissues attached to your hip at all times, sometimes the "Aloe" and "Lotion brand" is not enough. Though Rudolph is cute, no one wants to look like him (especially in September), so at night rub some Coconut Oil on it. It is a guaranteed fix for any red, irritated and flakiness due to excessive sneezing. 
