27 College Health Tips They Won't Teach You At Orientation

    Spoiler alert: it's probably mono.

    College is an amazing time.

    But the hectic college lifestyle and abundance of germs on campus means that students get sick... a lot.

    So we asked experts to tell us how college students can avoid getting sick and stay healthy all year long.

    BuzzFeed Health spoke to Dr. Pritish Tosh, infectious disease specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and germ expert Kelly Reynolds, PhD, director of environmental health sciences at the University of Arizona, about how college students can stay healthy when the odds (and germs) are against them.

    1. Don't share cups at parties.

    2. If you're prescribed antibiotics, don't drink on them.

    3. And always finish the full course of antibiotics.

    4. Maybe don't toss your backpack on your bed or pillow.

    5. Make yourself a first-aid kit stocked with all the essentials.

    6. Do not go to class if you're sick.

    7. And definitely don't go out and drink while you're sick either.

    8. Be really stingy with toiletries and makeup.

    9. Maybe don't eat food that's been sitting out or sitting in your mini-fridge for too long.

    10. And don't eat in communal spaces that aren't meant for eating — like libraries or study areas.

    11. Sanitize equipment before and after using it at your campus gym.

    12. Wash your sheets at least every two weeks, especially if you've been sick.

    13. Actually clean your dorm room.

    14. Watch out for mold and mildew in your living space.

    15. Wash your towels after three uses and make sure they actually dry.

    16. Wear shower shoes in communal bathrooms to avoid fungal infections.

    17. Wash or sanitize your hands often — but especially before eating.

    18. Keep disinfectant wipes in your room to sanitize all the things.

    19. Disinfect your laptop, keyboard, and trackpad or mouse every few weeks.

    20. Sanitize your cellphone once a week using a screen-safe solution, especially during flu season.

    21. Be safe when ~hooking up~ with other people.

    22. Maybe don't hang out with a friend or partner if they're sick.

    23. Get all of your vaccines before starting classes.

    24. And get your annual flu shot before flu season hits campus.

    25. Try to eat a nutritious diet and drink tons of water.

    26. Get enough sleep.

    27. Take care of yourself mentally and emotionally, too.

    Now go out there and enjoy college (healthily) while it lasts!