The freshman plague: an epidemic known by many and avoided by all. Take it from someone who is currently fighting this horrible outbreak — it is not fun.

If you are one of the many people who are suffering, hang in there. But if you’ve managed to stay healthy thus far, here are a few ways to continue to avoid succumbing to illness.

Wash your hands

Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy and avoid sharing germs with your friends. Being on campus with so many people, this plague is going to travel fast (as it already has) and not having time to get to a sink is no excuse. An easy solution to this is to keep hand sanitizer with you at all times. Keep it in your back pack and use it whenever you feel is necessary. It will help keep the germs away. Plus, your hands will always smell nice.

Rest

You’re probably laughing reading this thinking, “When can I possibly find time to rest?” Between classes, extracurriculars and friends, sleep is probably the last thing on your list. However, it is in your best interest to sacrifice something for a few extra hours of sleep. It will make you feel so much better and help you get healthy much quicker.

Clean your room

When was the last time you cleaned your room? Not the last time you told your mom you cleaned it, the last time you actually cleaned it. Your room is most likely a small, germ-collecting trap. If you’re not sick, there is a good chance your roommate is sick, so get out those Lysol wipes your mom left you and start cleaning. It might kill you now, but you’ll be thankful later.

Vitamin C

Unfortunately, you are probably going to get sick at some point. The good news is there is a way to stop it early. As soon as you feel a cold coming on, turn to your new best friend: vitamin C. This amazing vitamin will boost your immune system and help you fight off the nasty beast that has taken much of the freshman class. Vitamin C comes in many forms: oranges, bell peppers, broccoli and more. However, your best bet is to go to the bookstore and buy a little pack of Emergen-C which is basically just vitamin C in a pack that you put in your water, drink, and just like that you’re cured.