As midterms come to a close and the last two months of the semester are in full swing, it's time to crack down. I know I'm not alone in saying that midterms can hit you hard when you realize you had a lot more to cram for than you originally thought. But after all that studying, it's important to give yourself a break or two so you don't go crazy. 

1. Cider Mill

Hit the cider mill or pumpkin patch before it's too late!  Most don't close until November 1st and it's a fun way to get off of campus for a few hours and get some fresh air. I personally recommend the Dexter Cider Mill (I'm from there, but it's not like I'm biased or anything). If you think I'm not to be trusted, it's been featured on the Food Network and that's basically the modern day Bible, I would say. Being festive for fall never goes out of style.

2. Go to the Arb

If you haven't been to the top of Nichol's Arboretum when the leaves have begun to change color, you're missing out! Enter at the Geddes road entrance and go for a run through the forest down to the river. Not only is it a great stress reliever, but it's also one of the best views of Ann Arbor you can get in fall.

3. Hug it Out

In high school, I read a study that has haunted me forever. It was in a Psychology textbook so you'll have to trust me on this one, but the average human needs 9 hugs a day to function at their best level. NINE. At school, I don't often go around hugging people throughout my day. In fact, it's quite the opposite. I walk to class with headphones in trying to avoid those around me...but during stressful times, that's exactly the opposite of what our brains and bodies need. So hug a friend, a roommate, a stranger, hell I don't care...just don't make it weird. Trust me, a good hug can fix anything.

4. Get some coffee or hot chocolate

Coffee that doesn't taste like nuclear waste. Aka not found in the dining halls or anywhere you can probably find it for free. I get coffee in a rush every morning to class, but when I go to get coffee for a break I make sure to really enjoy it and not be doing work at the same time. Bring a book unrelated to your classes or let yourself indulge in a single (this will take a lot of willpower) episode of Netflix for 30 minutes. 

5. Make Goals

This is something that I have been told for years, but just recently have begun to do. It's easy to get caught up with a busy schedule and forget what we are actually trying to accomplish here. Getting an education and a job, having a social life, meeting the right person, getting enough sleep, finding time to eat, the list goes on and on. In the hustle and bustle of daily life your goals can be forgotten and overlooked for daily tasks. Take 15 minutes to refocus and write down your ultimate goal for the rest of the semester. Make it reasonable and measurable, and hang it up. You won't regret it.