A new semester is upon us. Getting back into the swing of things is like turning on a car after a long night of cold weather—it takes time to warm up, to start running properly. We've all been there, and it never seems to get any easier.

Here are some things that will (hopefully) get you through it.

1. Listen to motivational music.

Sometimes all you need is some good music to prepare you to conquer the impending day. Listen to something that will get you excited as possible to walk into that early-morning class, the one with that professor whose lecturing voice makes you feel uncomfortably aware of the heat in the room, like you're wearing a turtleneck sweater at all times.

The songs below are separated by genre because yes, some people like Metal (for reasons that are a mystery to me).

Pop: "Flawless" (feat. Nicki Minaj) by Beyconé (Who else did you expect?)

Rock: "Numb" by Linkin Park

Dance/Electronic: "Baby Baby" by Tropkillaz

Metal: "Throne" by Bring Me The Horizon (I tried finding one I could stand listening to for more than 30 seconds)

Country: "That's My Kind Of Night" by Luke Bryan

Hip Hop/Rap: "Monster" (feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver) by Kanye West

2. Exercise.

Even if you’re not an avid gym-goer, getting your blood flowing will give your mind a break from its post winter break depression that hasn't faded in the slightest since you've returned to school. Go for a walk. Go to a yoga class. Look up a quick workout video on youtube (I suggest The Beyonce Butt Workout, but that's just me). Also, due to society's ceaseless creation of apps, you can even download workouts onto your phone. I recently installed the app Sworkit, and if you only have a few minutes, it’s a great way to target your whole body in the convenience of your room.

3. Watch these videos (your life could be worse).

4. Make a list to prioritize goals.

Keeping track of extracurriculars, meetings, assignments, etc. will help you prioritize during the start of a new school term. Although staying organized is equally as important in the middle of the semester as it is in the beginning, crossing off responsibilities early on will put your mind at ease. It's therapeutic—almost.

5. Look at these cute animal pictures.

This is a puppy eating ice cream.

These are some cats. They are cozy.

How could you not fall in love with this face?

6. Spend time with friends.

You’ll need all the support you can get during this trying time. Let your friends make you laugh—it'll cut through the density of your stress for a little while.

7. Give yourself an incentive to get work done.

It’s definitely difficult to train your attention span after a long assignment-free break. Why stare at an over-priced textbook when you can stare at your favorite TV show? Promise yourself an episode you've been dying to watch once you’ve written X number of paragraphs. Looking forward to a trip to Panera will make you work faster (trust me).

8. Read these inspirational quotes.

“I am thankful for all of those who said, 'No,' to me. It's because of them I’m doing it myself.” -Albert Einstein

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle." -Steve Jobs

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable." -Christopher Reeve

"I am a hot-blooded fighter, and I am fearless." -Amy Schumer

9. Call your parents.

I try calling my parents once a day to catch up, and it's reassuring to know that they're always there for me. Some people rarely pick up the phone to call their parents just because they don't have time, or because they simply don't feel the need to explain to their mom why the trip to Wegmans last week turned into a shopping spree, or why they're still single. Your parents will help you talk through your stress, so lean on them for support because it's their job.

10. Clean your room.

Making sure your living environment stays in order is especially important those first few weeks of the semester when you’re trying to get your bearings of a whole new schedule. You have enough to worry about, and the last thing you need is to stress over the mess you’ve made. You'll be more motivated to do your school work at a clean desk than one topped with coffee-stained napkins and takeout menus.

11. Give yourself some love.

Remember that you’re only human and that you can’t accomplish everything the first few weeks of the semester. Sometimes we’re so anxious with the onset of new classes that we feel like we need to tackle countless things at once. You can't do it all. Leave post-it notes around your room with kind, motivational words. Be positive, and remember that you’re awesome. Go on, say it. "I'm awesome."