Each semester, as exciting as it may be, brings stress with it. Whether it’s a group project, a research essay, or a personal goal there is no way to escape the stress that comes. So here are some tips to help you stay motivated to accomplish all the things you need to do as well as help relieve some of the stress that you will face. Some may seem silly or mundane, but they work. You just have to find what works best for you.

1. Write a to-do list and check off what you get done

Writing out a to-do list helps you keep track of what you need to do. It also keeps you accountable of what you have to do. Then, physically checking it off gives you a sense of accomplishment—which could lead you to get more things done.

2. Picture it

Visualizing getting things done and mentally planning out your day ahead can help you actually get those things done.

3. Get dressed and ready for the day

This is a small step into feeling more productive. If you get dressed for the day rather than staying in pajamas you are more likely to get things done.

4. Clean your workspace

Having a messy workspace leads to a feeling of disorganization. If you keep your workspace clean, it’ll also lead to more productivity.

5. Work around other people who are working

This could be in the library or in the dorm with your roommate. By having other people around you that are working, can force you to work as well.

6. Tell people about what you are going to do

This holds you accountable for what you need to do. You can also have people help motivate you when you feel the motivation waning.

7. Do the hard stuff first…

By getting the longest or most daunting task out of the way first can lead to a sense of relief.

8. …Or do the small stuff first

If you can’t handle the biggest task first, take baby steps instead and do the smaller and quicker jobs that need to be done.

9. Figure out which time of day you tend to feel more productive

By doing your work during your most productive two hours instead of trying to do them during your least productive ten hours, you’ll get more done in the two hours rather than the ten.

10. Eat Better

Eating better overall will make you feel better about yourself mentally, and feeling good about yourself will lead you to feel good about the tasks that you need to do.

11. Start Exercising

Exercise has been proven to relieve stress. It gives you a break from paperwork, cleaning, and other work that needs to be done. With that break, it gives you time to think about your tasks and what you could do to better accomplish them.

12. Get more sleep

Being tired leads to feeling unmotivated, which is never helpful when you have things to do.

13. Get ahead

If you find one day that you are particularly motivated, try and get ahead on any homework or projects. You’ll thank yourself later for it.

14. Remove distractions and/or temptations

If anything is around that’ll divert your attention from the project at hand, put it somewhere where you will not see it or have someone hide it for you.

15. Listen to music

Listening to music is proven to energize you to do more work—especially if you listen to “It’s a Hard-Knock Life” when you try to clean. Even take the time to make a study or motivation playlist if it helps.

16. Make sure you have everything

If you don’t have all the necessities to do the project, you’ll avoid it until the last minute. Make a list of what you need if you don’t find that you have all the tools.

17. Keep moving

If you find that sitting in one spot after a while gives you an overwhelming feeling, just move your spot. Also, by moving your body around gives you a sense of motivation even if you aren’t—this is known as the “faking it” approach.

18. Have short meditation breaks

Meditation or simply taking a little time to focus on your breathing can help boost energy and make you feel better mentally if you are feeling stress.

19. Find out what re-energizes you best

This is basically any break that allows you to walk away from a task and boosts your energy to finish it later. It could anything like taking a shower, taking a nap, going for a run, or having a cup of coffee. It isn’t watching something on Netflix (unless you are very good at limiting yourself) because that is procrastination not taking a break.

20. Keep the end result in mind

Knowing you’ll have a feeling of relief or accomplishment or knowing that if you work hard, you’ll get receive good results can lead to more productivity.