Just after spending some quality time with friends and family at home for Thanksgiving, us college students are thrown into a black hole of stress and chaos returning back to school. A chaos that, as a freshman student, I haven’t experienced until now.

I’m writing this on my third day back since Thanksgiving and dropping out has never been so appealing as it does in this moment. A project on top of an essay on top of a presentation, not to mention that each of these assignments will make or break my final grade. Needless to say, I have found this last stretch of the semester to be extremely stressful, but I have thought of ways to make the best of it and keep myself sane.

1. Visit the library!

The library is where the magic happens. This might be a personal preference, but when I need to do my work, the library is where I can get it done most efficiently. Sitting in my dorm room attempting to write a paper will have me taking multiple breaks switching to Netflix every few paragraphs or finding myself taking a nap from being in the comfort of my own bed.

The best way for me to work is getting out of my room, whether if it is the library or even in a lounge with friends.

2. Use a calendar!

Get a calendar, a planner, a to-do list, or whatever you need to see what has to be done. I use a calendar and I list assignments on their due date so I can plan ahead.

Visually seeing what you need to do and when helps in the long run so you don’t end up having to do multiple papers in one night all due the next day. Organization is always a huge help and will reduce the overall stress.

3. Caffeine is a necessity!

If your assignments have been piling up like mine have, there’s a good chance you aren’t getting much sleep. Some nights are spent doing work or studying until 2 or 3 A.M. Some of us, unfortunately, have 8 A.M.s and don’t function great on 4 hours of sleep. Luckily, there is a solution to that predicament, and that solution is called coffee. The Starbucks trips before and between classes during this difficult period are essential.

4. Make time for naps!

Coffee helps to keep you awake. But let's face it; your body needs sleep, too. Make time for yourself so you make up that lost sleep with some naps during the day. Trust me, your body will thank you, you will end up feeling much better, and it will make the tasks you need to do that much easier.

5. Enjoy your weekends!

The weekend is truly a blessing at this time. You have much more free time and do not feel as overwhelmed as normal days. You deserve a break, so go ahead and go out with your friends. Relax and de-stress while you can. You have the time for studying, homework, fun, and relaxation on the weekend, so take advantage!

It’s a stressful time, but there’s a light at the end of this dark tunnel, and that light is called "winter break". In three weeks we’ll have a month-long break to spend with our friends and family, and that in itself will help me get through these next few weeks. I wish good luck to every college student in this last stretch of the semester.