It’s that time of year again. Everyone is back from fall break and projects that we’ve been putting off all semester are due at the same time but now we’re sick.

Well, not all of us are sick. Those who are need to be considerate of those who aren’t, though.

If you’re going to go to class and you’re ill, make sure you don’t have a temperature (at least then you’re not contagious). Not everyone has a thermometer, but if your forehead is hot to the touch and you don’t think you can sit upright, don’t expose everyone else by going to class.

This applies to professors, too. Cancel class if you’re sick because you won’t feel any better standing in class than the students sitting there being exposed to germs. You may even end up scolding those same students who will probably be absent the next week because of their exposure.

It’s hard not to get sick because once the cycle of head colds, germs and other ailments start circulating they don’t stop. It’s a vicious cycle of one person being sick and exposing a classroom full of people to germs who then expose other classes.

Residence halls are a hotspot for sickness and germs to spread as well. Make sure to keep the bathroom clean, wipe down the mirror, sink, counter, toilet and shower with disinfectant on a regular basis. You can even buy some disinfectant to spray in your room (and even your hall) if someone has been sick.

Whenever you use the computers in Collins Library or the residence halls, it’s likely the previous user didn’t wash his or her hands. Always wash your hands after handling things countless other people have touched before eating and especially after using the restroom. Investing in some hand sanitizer might not hurt either.

Kleenexes are handy to have, especially the pocket packs. Plus, your nose will thank you for not resorting to toilet paper.

Take preventative measures by buying some Vitamin C to boost your immune system, too. If you do get sick, take the time to make a full recovery so you won’t go down again.