Don’t let that Cold Catch You!

Hey Raptors,

This weather has definitely taken a toll on many students at MC this beginning of October. And this may be because we’re still having days in the upper 80’s when it is already fall. Anyway, I personally have not gotten sick in almost two years. I am not lying I promise! Never say never though. I have learned my lesson this week. I was bragging about how I never get sick to my friends in my Anatomy and Physiology I class this past week and the next day I woke up with a sore throat. Yup, a sore throat followed by a headache and a runny nose later that night. So, as I am writing this post, a box of tissues and cough drops are my best companions. As a result of this unexpected cold, I decided to share some ways that I’ve prevented sickness while in school 🙂

1- Stay away from that person that keeps on coughing and sneezing in class! No need to be rude though; just walk away or step aside if you feel that you’re too close to that sneeze or a cough. Remember that a common cold can be contagious, especially through droplets in the air!

2- Always wash your hands whether you’re walking out of the restroom or the lab. Remember that door handles are one of the many ways you can catch bacteria! It’s a little sad to say, but not everyone who comes out of a restroom has washed his or her hands. 🙁

3- Cover your mouth when coughing and use your forearm when you sneeze. I know many of you may already know this, but we are humans and we can definitely forget to do this sometimes.

4- Get your sleep and maintain a healthy diet! These two things are one of the most important ways that we can avoid getting sick, yet we often forget about them. School definitely deprives our sleep, but taking a nap can help that. Let’s not get dragged into “I’ll eat at school”, because you won’t if something comes up – like last minute pre-labs ;). So, try to make your lunch ahead of time.

Lastly, remember to stay warm and try to be prepared for what the weather may bring! Mother nature doesn’t play and if you do these things, your chances of getting sick will decrease. I try to remember to follow these tips and they’ve definitely helped me stay healthy throughout the years, so give them a try!

As always, thank you for staying!

~Meredith