What are some things i can do to avoid getting a cold?

Not much: The things you're supposed to do are to avoid crowds curing cold season and to wash your hands frequently, but frankly most people get a couple colds a year no matter what they do. Some people swear by echinacea taken at the first onset of symptoms, but the data aren't very convincing. My approach is to accept the inevitable, and just hope it happens at a convenient time.