When the weather is warm, students flock to the outdoors and constantly bask in the fresh air. But when the temperatures drop, students will be bundling up in the dorms with their blankets, hot chocolate, and, unfortunately, their germs. With such a high number of people in one building, residence halls are infamous for being a breeding ground for sickness. Don’t panic! With the right mindset and the right information, you can stay as healthy as possible, even if you’re breathing the same air as other sickly students. Though I’m sure you’d love an excuse to miss class, here are some pointers to keep you healthy this winter.
Stay informed on seasonal viruses
Don’t just study for your classes! You should always know what illnesses happen to be prevalent in any particular season. A cold is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sicknesses. Meningitis, mono, and even athlete’s foot can be spread easily in residence halls, so educate yourself on how to prevent these ailments, and protect yourself accordingly.
Keep up with your school’s health services website to know when there are any outbreaks of sickness on campus, or stop by the health offices to pick up any brochures or information. Also, keep relevant phone numbers in your phone so you can make any appointments needed. For example, Pennsylvania State University—University Park in Pennsylvania offers a 24-hour advice nurse hotline for after-hour health emergencies and information.
Related: 10 Daily Actions to Foster a Healthy Lifestyle in College
Get your shots
I was one of the many students who said “I’d rather get sick than get a shot!” But don’t let a fear of needles overcome you! Something as simple as an annual flu vaccine can help prevent coming down with influenza. Most colleges even require incoming students to receive vaccines for diseases like polio or Hepatitis B, so you might as well get poked a few more times with suggested vaccines for influenza, COVID, chickenpox, pneumonia, Hepatitis A, or even human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread by skin contact.
Wash your hands
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know you need to keep your hands clean (especially in a post-COVID world)! Think about where your hands go: a library computer keyboard, the standing pole on a bus, or a classroom doorknob. Then imagine how many other people have also touched that! Your hands touch your food, mouth, eyes, and other people, so keep them regularly throughout the day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a great website to check out the benefits of hand washing. And don’t let laziness be an excuse because that’s just plain gross! Not to mention, it only costs a few dollars to go to invest in an antibacterial gel you can use if you’re in a rush.
Don't neglect your basic needs
It’s easy for students to overlook simple things that keep them healthy, such as drinking lots of water, eating healthy, and getting plenty of sleep. Keep in mind: It’s not just about your body! Be aware of your environment too. Keep your dorm room clean to avoid an accumulation of germs or bugs in dirty clothes, wet towels, or leftover food. Keep a case for everything you’d bring into the public bathroom since the moist air is a perfect location for germs. Wear shower flip-flops, use a toothbrush case, and keep your soap in a container to prevent anything from touching the dirty surfaces of the sinks and showers.
Related: Sniffles and Strep: How to Survive Sick Days in College
Staying healthy in college is no different than keeping yourself healthy at home. You just need to be a little more responsible for your habits—your parents won't be there to remind you to take your vitamins or get your shots done. Take care of yourself in college by taking these preventative measures to ensure you stay happy and healthy so you don't have to waste any time being sick when you could be making unforgettable memories.
You can find so much more advice for staying healthy in college under our "student health" tag!
