No one wants to miss school and have to make-up work, especially when they are in high school. And this winter season has not been made easy on students. This season has brought on a surge in illnesses, predominantly the notorious flu, and it’s important to make sure you’re taking all precautions to be healthy and prepared for the season with these tips:

WASH your hands – You’ve probably been told to do this countless times and you’re probably sick (no pun intended) of hearing this, but it’s true — washing your hands is the easiest way to prevent illness. Make sure you always wash your hands with soap and water, and if that isn’t an option, use a sanitizer properly by vigorously rub your hands for at least 30 seconds after using the sanitizer. Washing your hands is also crucial after using a tissue to blow your nose.

Don’t TOUCH your face – Your hands are constantly in contact with various surfaces, be it desks or door handles. So, the least you can do is avoid spreading those nasty germs to your face. Touching your eyes, nose, or mouth is a great way for germs to enter your body and thus cause illnesses, especially those that deal with your respiratory systems.

Cough the RIGHT WAY – You’ve probably heard this a million times too, but for good reason. If you have a cough, make sure to cough in in your elbow rather than spewing it all over and spreading germs into the air that everyone breathes.

LISTEN to your body – While you may want to toughen up and go to school because you don’t want to miss a test or make up work, DON’T DO IT. If you’re body is saying no, listen. Symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting are all indicators that you need to take the day off and rest up.

Eat, eat, EAT – Eating is crucial if you want to feel your best at school. There’s no way your bodily and intellectual functions can work if you don’t give them fuel. Just like you wouldn’t expect your car to run without gas, you can’t expect your body to cooperate when it doesn’t have the energy it needs. If you don’t have time to eat breakfast in the morning, bring snacks to eat. Your brain loves glucose (sugar) and if you don’t give your brain glucose, you don’t feel good. Peanut butter or cheese crackers are great because they don’t have a lot of sugar and have lots of protein. In addition, dairy products, like milk and yogurt, are excellent because they have a good source of calories and protein, but be cautious if you are sensitive to lactose. Granola bars can be a good alternative, although most only have 90 calories and won’t last you very long.

DRINK water – It’s super important to stay hydrated, so bring a water bottle to school or wherever you go and utilize water fountains. Your body needs water to survive and perform basic, everyday functions.