When we grow up we are told that if we just try hard enough and if we want it enough we can accomplish it all. And like most others, I have taken that advice and tried to apply it to all aspects of my life. Now as a freshman in college, I am more stressed than ever.

Sometimes it is impossible to simply “do it all.” Especially when you look around you and you feel as if others are able to do it. So you work harder and sleep less and stress about how no matter how much you are working the work is still piling up.

I am here to tell you, you can’t do it all. And that is more than okay. We are not superpeople with the ability to turn time but that does not mean we cannot be great either. We cannot build houses in Africa and have a 4.0 GPA while having a successful relationship and maintaining good skin.

Prioritize.

First, take care of your health. Trust me, this is coming from personal experience. No class is worth crying at 3 a.m. Take time to breathe. Like seriously block out a time in the week for you to just be by yourself and doing something you genuinely enjoy. Whether it's reading cheesy poetry or watching reruns of The Office. Do something that makes you happy and do not feel guilty for taking care of yourself. You deserve to be happy no matter what is going on in your life.

And then take each day as they come. Ask yourself every morning: what are the three most important things you need to do today. And then do them.

Yes, with hard work you will be accomplished. But don’t put the weight of the world on your shoulders and ask yourself why you can’t run a mile.