It's that time of year again! The weather is getting cooler, we are all finally settled in at school with our roommates, and already stressing over a million things with our classes. What does all of this mean? Getting sick! We hate to think about it, but we have to face the truth: we will all be getting sick within the next week or so, whether we like it or not. Sometimes, it doesn't matter how cautious we are, if we're surrounded by a bunch of other sick people, we're bound to catch something too. So what can we do to at least try and prevent getting sick as soon as we should? Here are some things that I find to be helpful when I'm avoiding catching the school plague:

1. Wash your hands after everything!

Sure, this might sound excessive, but keeping your hands clean will really help you in the long run. Touched a few doorknobs? Wash your hands. Coughed in your hand? Wash your hands. Used the computer in the library? Wash your hands!

2. Change your sheets.

You should always change your sheets about every two weeks. Doesn't matter if you always shower before bed and you think your sheets are clean. Wash them. Laying in your germs for hours at a time will not help at all. Not to mention, when you're laying your face on your pillow that you've probably drooled on in your sleep, you'll probably get a bit of a breakout, and who wants that?

3. Carry around hand sanitizer.

This might make you seem like a crazy person, but for the times when you're in public and not near a bathroom and you're surrounded by copious amounts of germs, hand sanitizer is your best friend. My friends call me insane because I always have hand sanitizer, but you know what? Guess who's not sick! ME.

4. Stay hydrated!

It is so easy to let yourself get dehydrated throughout the day when running back and forth to class and trying to squeeze in a nap or two, but staying hydrated is super important! You need water to function, and the more dehydrated you are, the more likely you are to get sick.

5. Get enough sleep.

Ever notice how when you've been running low on sleep, you feel pretty shitty? That's because you're immune system is getting run down and you're becoming more susceptible to illness. Instead of pulling an all-nighter, go to bed early and allocate your time better. Sleep is important. Also, naps are pretty great, too.

6. When you feel yourself getting overly stressed, take a break.

Stress seems to run our lives as college students, so that being said, it takes over our entire body and then weakens our immune system. Next thing you know, you're coughing up a lung and have a killer migraine. When you feel yourself getting really stressed out, take a breath, go for a walk, decompress a bit, and come back to your work later. Your health is more important.

7. Exercise.

Ew, I know, but exercising keeps your body fit, healthy, and active (obviously), and will thus keep your immune system stronger. Sweat out those toxins! You're bound to feel a lot better.

8. Disinfect.

Again, you might seem like a crazy person, but it only takes a few minutes to take a disinfectant wipe and wipe down all the surfaces you're constantly touching, and to maybe give a quick spray of Febreze to give your room a cleaner feel. You don't have to do this every day, but every so often definitely won't hurt, especially if you're roommate is sick.

9. Eat more balanced.

Again, ew. Who wants to always eat healthy? No one, but also, eating greasy and fried food is not going to help your health at all. Eat a salad, have fruit with your breakfast, drink orange juice. Believe me, it will help you.

10. Take Vitamin C.

Vitamin C is a lord and savior. Simply taking one pill every day can prevent you from getting sick! You should take Vitamin C when you're not feeling sick! Take it every day! you'll thank me later.

...If all else fails, stock up on some tissue and NyQuil, cuddle up with Netflix, and rest up!