Listen up, friends: I think everybody is feeling the stress of university right now. And I’m gonna be completely honest, it really sucks; I just want to lay in my bed and binge watch CSI and work on my novel. I’m taking seventeen credit hours – a total of six classes. They’re all starting to talk about finals. While it’s super exciting to think that I’m almost done my first semester of college, I’m about to explode from all the stress.

I can feel the tension in my back; all I want to do is eat — but I don’t have enough time to go to the dining hall so it’s usually a Mac and Cheese cup or Ramen Noodles or something. I drink so much caffeine just to make it through the day. I’ve had a headache for a straight week and stress makes my tinnitus worse. I’m exhausted and miserable and I just want to go home and cuddle up with my dog.

Besides classes, I don’t leave my dorm; speaking of class, I’ve been skipping the ones that aren’t “important” to do homework (which is completely absurd and I know I shouldn’t be doing that. I’m paying way too much money to keep skipping). I’ve been turning assignments in late — a bad grade is better than a no grade, though! My history professor told my class that and it’s currently my life motto. It’s not a good one to have, though. I know I need to try my best, but my best is probably about a C+ right now.

I want to go home and be with my family. As much I love being at college and being an independent adult who takes care of what I need to, I really just want to go home. My mom messages me every day how many days closer we are to Thanksgiving break which is so nice. It gives me something to look forward to, which I really need right now.

I am so overwhelmed. I don’t even hang out with my friends anymore; I literally just sit in my dorm room and crank out my homework that never ends. Part of me is okay with this because I’m a hardcore introvert, but it still sucks that that’s what my life is now.

Thank god I’m only taking thirteen credits next semester instead of seventeen. I don’t ever plan on taking seventeen credits ever again in my life. How am I supposed to make it through the next, what, three weeks when I have no motivation whatsoever? I’ve made a couple playlist — one to keep me calm and the other to pump me up to do my homework and get my stuff done. It takes me a solid 3 hours to read a handful of pages in my art history textbook because it’s not only really boring but at this point, I’m so easily distracted.

If you are feeling just like me (and I’m almost positive there are many of you) here's some advice that I should also follow but rarely do:

Write things down. Even when I’m at my most overwhelmed, it helps to see what I have to do. The most important and easiest assignments first, then I feel more productive and will likely keep going with the harder assignment. I have reminders on my phone, a list by my desk, and a sticky note on my computer to remind me of what I have to do. It’s kind of annoying, but it keeps me on track.

Learn to reward yourself, but don’t let it get out of hand. This is where I falter. My roommate can tell you, I say I’m going to watch a forty-five-minute episode of CSI… four hours later, I’m remembering that I was supposed to be doing homework and hardly any of it is done.

You just completed that fifteen-page paper? Heck yeah! Go you! Maybe instead you shouldn't watch an episode of your favorite TV show (because it's super distracting) you could do something you enjoy that won't take up an extreme amount of time; just something for a quick break.

GO TO THE LIBRARY! I swear by this but I don't do it very often. There’s something about going to the library that makes me feel so productive. Maybe it’s because I’m not tempted to watch hours of CSI all at once; I feel like people will judge me since I'm supposed to be studying. The environment is stimulating. My work is usually so much better when I'm at the library.

Have a playlist of songs that help you focus. Video game/TV show soundtracks are made to keep you engaged and focused on whatever you’re doing. Youtube has a great selection of ambient sounds. I prefer video-game soundtracks but that’s because I’m a huge nerd.

Good luck, my friends, November is over. The semester is coming to an end. Crank out that homework, please eat healthily, and try not to burn yourself out within these next few weeks. Self-care is important! You’ve come so far in the semester; I know it’s overwhelming, I’m right there with you. Winter break will (hopefully) be here sooner than you know it.