As we begin our school year, the amount of things we find ourselves obligated to do can all of a sudden seem overwhelming. After just a week of school, you (like me) might be dealing with papers and assignments issued on what we students like to call "Syllabus Day." It may seem stressful at first, but as a sophomore, I've learned some easy ways of coping that can help to relieve stress and improve your college experience.

The most important thing to consider when you're faced with a pile of work is that you shouldn't try to do it all at once. Many people make the mistake of trying to tackle every assignment in one day, so that they'll have more free time throughout the week. While this may be a good idea in theory, you'll find it extremely difficult in practice. Instead, a better idea would be to compare the amount of homework you have with your school schedule. For example, if you have only one class on Fridays, that might be the best time to get some work done and be productive. On days with four classes, on the other hand, you may not get much done, and that's completely normal. Balance is the key to staying on top of your schoolwork.

When it comes to actually relaxing, I've found that most people enjoy surrounding themselves with a blanket nest and turning on their favorite Netflix program. I'll admit, I often do this after a full day of lectures. However, I've also found that staying active helps me to relieve some of my school related stress. Working out in the gym is a great idea for when you feel the need to keep active. Personally I enjoy doing things \, such as playing pool or ping pong with my friends. Since these are things aren't very labor intensive, we can play them every day as a fun way of hanging out and blowing of some steam.

Finally, just remember to not take things too seriously. Of course, you should always study hard and do your best, but in the long run, your health is the most important thing you have, both mental and physical. You don't want to do anything that might jeopardize your well-being, and this may include some harmful study habits. One test does not define who you are. Putting your entire academic worth into the outcome of one grade is not beneficial for anyone, and will ultimately lead to some nasty consequences and habits. If you do badly on a test, shake it off. There's nothing you can do to change that grade, so you might as well put your efforts toward making sure that it doesn't happen again. All you can do is study more for the next one, join a study group, or even going in to talk with your professor. Believe it or not, they actually want you to do well. You'll never fail a class if your teacher can see that you're making a concerted effort to succeed.

If there's one thing you should take away here, it's this: relaxation is just as important as hard work. Make sure to find a balance, and you will do just fine.