It’s the beginning of a new academic term in college. You start out optimistic, determined to finish your assignments on time, ace your tests, get involved in clubs, and have a social life. But three credit-hour courses do live up to expectations. Before you know it, there is not enough time in the day to get all of your coursework done and attend all of the meetings, orientation sessions, showcases, and other events. The solution is NOT to pull an all-nighter; nobody wants to lose their beauty rest. The first thing to do if you want to kick college’s butt while keeping your sanity is to pick up a few of these habits.

As a double major in science and music with nineteen credit hours in my first semester, I have been called many things along the lines of “crazy,” and I have been reassured that “you are going to die.” Although this is by no means an easy task to accomplish, I have learned a few tricks to stay on top of my classes. One, I have a planner. I write down all of my future assignments and test dates as well as event/meeting reminders. That way, I can modify my personal schedule to allow plenty of time for work, practice, etc. I also try to organize everything a day ahead so I can anticipate my work load and manage my time wisely.

Second, when I get an assignment on Monday, I try to complete it that Monday. I might not know what my Tuesday professors have in store workload-wise, and it’s best to have time freed up for any unknown assignments. Also, you are more capable of completing the homework thoroughly because the 9 AM lecture is still fresh in your head.

However, there is no guarantee that this system will keep you completely stress-free. It will definitely reduce stress, but there is no “colleging” without stress and anxiety. One thing that helps me calm down is talking with friends and family; I love having a sounding board to share coping strategies and ideas, and friends can give you the support you need to get through the rough patches. They also give great hugs, and cuddling is definitely relaxing if you’re into that.

Another way I handle stress is going to the gym and exercising for at least thirty minutes. If you are not a big people person, you can always tune out with headphones while blowing off steam on the treadmill. Exercising clears your mind, wakes you up, and boosts your self-esteem after a fulfilling routine. I like working out in the mornings before classes because it gets my juices flowing, and often times I am too busy in the afternoons to work out. You can also go whenever you need a break from an arduous assignment.

Napping (and sleep in general) is a great way to regenerate and take your mind off stressful thoughts and activities. I am by no means saying “This work sucks, I am going to nap instead.” When you are too drained or distracted to complete an assignment to the best of your ability, take a 20-30 minute nap. If you are like me who shuts alarms off while I’m sleeping, move the alarm clock far enough away so that you have to get up to turn it off. And don’t hit the snooze too many times. They’re called “power naps” for a reason.

One thing I advise against is eating too much when stressed. A bit of trail mix or a fruit cup helps you reenergize and all, and for the love of God don’t starve yourself. However, do not eat five pounds of chocolate or a whole box of animal crackers. If this bad habit continues, you’ll end up gaining weight, which might worry you and cause even more stress. If you’re really hungry, go for a healthier alternative rather than something sweet or terribly salty. Your body and metabolism will thank you later.

Getting creative also helps you relax when you’re suffering from academia overload. Play your instrument or improvise a melody, paint a picture, make origami, dance your heart out. All of these things can help you express yourself and clear your mind when you need to click the mental “refresh” button.

These are some basic suggestions and coping mechanisms a college student might use to avoid and handle additional stress. In just two weeks, I am already forming good time management habits, I am living a healthy(ish) lifestyle, and I am finding time to enjoy college activities and social gatherings. With some rudimentary guidelines to keep you on track, you are bound to succeed while remaining at ease!