Planning for a new semester is exciting. Picking out pictures for your walls, new color-coded notebooks for class, and attempting to avoid thinking about all of the stress that's about to hit you like a train because syllabus day just doesn't exist! But amid all of that planning, it's important to remember your own health and wellness this coming semester. Here are seven ways to help grow your mind and body as well as help you manage all of that stress.

1. Wake up a little bit earlier.

While sleep is precious, so is a relaxing morning. Give yourself an extra five minutes to sit and enjoy your coffee, look out the window at the sunrise, and think about the day to come. Giving yourself these extra few minutes will help you to focus on what's important and let you organize your day accordingly. It will also save you from feeling rushed every morning trying to shove a granola bar in your mouth as you run out the door.

2. Go to bed a little bit earlier.

Remember when I said sleep was important? Well, staying up until 2 a.m. every night finishing homework takes a toll on your body. If you can finish your homework by 10 or 11 p.m. each night, you'll have a much better chance at getting a solid seven or eight hours of sleep each night. Not only this, but the extra sleep will help you to retain information better, so you won't have to study quite so long.

3. Exercise.

It doesn't have to be dreaded time at the gym or a boring run alone. Yoga, rock climbing, and Zumba are great ways to get moving while having fun! Getting some exercise will give you a little break from everything that weighs down on you during the semester. It releases endorphins that make you feel good and will help you to sleep more soundly at night.

Even when you can't get to the gym, get up and stretch for five to 10 minutes at home or between classes. Sitting through long, boring lectures is not what we as humans are meant to do, and even this little bit of stretching will help you feel better.

4. Drink more water.

Very few people drink the recommended daily amount of water. Now, you don't have to become one of those random guys who carry around a milk jug, but carrying a water bottle around with you will help you remember. Plus, you can decorate it with stickers to make it your own!

5. Meditate.

Meditation is a very useful skill to help you re-center yourself during long days. You can take a class or watch a video online to learn how to do it. Being able to take a step back from situations and reassess them with a fresh mind is beneficial to everyone.

6. Make time to do what you love.

When the semester gets tough, remember to set aside time to do what you love whether that be drawing, singing, playing video games, or petting dogs. Find ways to do what you enjoy on or off campus. It will help give you a break from studying and make you feel better, too. It's always easier to do work you don't want to do when you're in a good mood.

7. Call your family.

Even when you feel like you don't even have enough time to shower, set aside 10 minutes to call your mom, your dad, your sister, or your grandma. Not only will this make you feel good, but they might even have some good advice for you or a great joke.

Doing these seven things throughout the semester can help you manage your stress and take care of both your mind and body. It's always good to remember that these tough, long years of school won't last, but you'll always have your body and mind. And, because you only get one body and one mind, it's important to take care of them, no matter how tough the semester gets.