School is back in session, and along with it comes the stress of overscheduled schedules, social-media-induced anxiety, and a whole new set of outfits. As much as we might love being reminded of our awesomeness every morning with that cheerful dorky cardigan-vest combo or that new belt buckle that makes you feel like a stud, those endorphin-producing pep talks are now sabotaging us instead. After weeks or maybe even months of hiding at home with the fear of catching your older sibling’s flu or getting exposed to some other virus, you finally have your chance to venture out into the real world without having to worry about contracting anything. And this also means that for the next two weeks at least you will be breathing in everyone else’s germs and exhaust fumes again. I know, it sucks. But hey, maybe you should make the most of it? Luckily we’ve got some tips on how you can survive the school season this year without contracting any diseases and getting sick from it again next week when all those people come to visit again.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is the key to surviving the back-to-school season. As it’s already been a week since you last drank anything other than your own pee, you’re probably experiencing some dehydration symptoms. If you’re experiencing a headache, dizziness, dry mouth, and extra thirst or fatigue after jumping into school this year, it’s time to get back on track with your water intake. The most important thing about staying hydrated is that it helps keep you from getting sick. Staying hydrated also helps regulate your body temperature and blood pressure for optimum health.

Eat Healthy

Eating healthy is always a good idea. You’ve probably heard this so many times that you can recite it word for word. But it never hurts to be reminded again, and what better way to do that than to write it down in black and white? If you want to avoid the flu, eating healthy will not only make your immune system stronger, but it will also protect you from other viruses too. So invest in some vitamins, take a multivitamin every day and get your daily dosage of fruits and vegetables. It’s really pretty simple—you don’t even have to cook them!

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is the first and most obvious way to prepare for a healthy school year. With that being said, it’s important to understand the difference between getting a good night’s sleep and just catching up on rest. You don’t need to go camping or anything, but you do need to make sure you get enough sleep in order to be able to concentrate in class.

Take Some Time Out for Yourself

You might find yourself feeling overwhelmed at the beginning of the school year and not sure what to do about it. Rest is an important part of recovery, and it can be hard to find enough time for it when you’re overworked and stressed out. Doing something for yourself should never feel like a chore, so make sure that you’re getting enough rest this school year. Whether it be meditation, reading a book, or taking some time off from social media, try doing something that will help aid in your mental health this school year.

Be With People You Love and Who Love You Back

You know that feeling when you finally get to see your best friend for the first time in a month and you feel like you’re going to explode from happiness? That is how it should feel all the time. But instead, we spend most of our time with people we don’t really care about and don’t really love. This doesn’t just make us miserable, it also makes us vulnerable to catching more viruses than ever before. So instead of staying home and being social media bummed out, make some friends! Not only will they help keep you healthy, they might also become your new BFFs.

Don’t Be a Jerk, Even When It’s Self-Defense

As we all know, the world is a scary place. With school starting up again, it’s especially hard to keep the fear away. The first step in surviving this school year is learning to control your fear and not let it consume you. It’s easy to get wrapped up in what might happen if you don’t worry about getting sick this time around because there are always going to be people who are more susceptible than you are, but that doesn’t mean you have to be one of them. You should absolutely still make sure that you wash your hands frequently and wear a mask when doing so, but the best way to contain your fears is by simply controlling how much you expose yourself to other people’s germs. If you want to avoid having a full-on meltdown about how scary everything is for two weeks, then just stick with these five simple tips:

Final Word

You might start off your first day of school with a lot of hope and excitement, but eventually the day grows long and you find yourself thinking, “I’m never going to get this done. Why can’t they just let me have one more week?” The school season is an exciting time for everyone, but it can also be overwhelming. You might feel like you’re drowning in homework or that you don’t have time to enjoy your classes anymore. Here are some tips on how to survive the school season without contracting any viruses: 1. Set realistic expectations for yourself Everyone has their own ideas about what the best way to study is, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. If you need some help getting organized, here are some tools that can help: OneNote (Microsoft), Google Docs (Google), Evernote (Evernote). And if you want to stop stressing out about how much work there is every day, try learning how to wind down at night before bedtime instead! 2. Give yourself a break from studying You know what I mean – take a break from all the stress and pressure so that you can focus better later on! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything this semester, make sure to step away sooner rather than later. This will not only help with lowering your anxiety levels, but it will also give your brain a chance to rest and recover before tackling