As winter break comes to an end, the typical college student wishes for at least one more week home without any papers, assignments, or due dates. Luckily, the first week of every semester starts off slowly and has the well-known name as Syllabus Week (see also as Sylly Week). It is the absolute only week of the entire semester that we can actually breathe without teachers shoving homework and exams down our throats. The thing is though, Syllabus Week only lasts for one week, hence the name, and totally catches students with their guards down by whipping them right back into the dreaded whirlpool known as Sophomore Year. Before you start to panic, here are 5 major tips to consider as the beauty of Syllabus Week slowly becomes a memory:

1. Write down all of your goals for the semester

Whether it is to end the year on the Dean’s List, finally join a certain club, or even find the best bar in the area, writing down your aspirations always makes it easier to find a clear path to achieving them.

2. Save time for relaxation

When all your focus is on due dates and exams, it’s super easy to forget that you deserve a break. Whether it’s to relax and get a massage or even to allow yourself to binge watch Law & Order, your body needs a break from the craziness. Always put your mental health first.

3. Be healthy

Focusing on your health is always important, but when you become stressed sometimes your health flies out the window. Create a weekly gym schedule, buy some organic foods while food shopping, and take care of yourself so that when school anxiety becomes overwhelming, you have a healthy outlet.

4. Plan things to look forward to

Whenever you are drowning in assignments, make sure to plan some fun things to look forward to. Whether it’s a day in the city or even just a trip to get ice cream, having events to be excited for will increase your motivation to just bang all the homework out. Rewards = motivation.

5. Always do your best

The only thing to expect from yourself is to do your absolute best and to always put in 110%. Setting realistic goals for yourself and doing everything you can do to reach them is what college is all about. Remember that it is okay to disappoint yourself sometimes, and that one low grade on that Finance exam definitely does not represent yourself as a student or person. Always do your best, and the rest will follow.