I watched in silence as my professor climbed into George Fox University's firepit, located at the bottom of the canyon, with wood, newspaper and matches in hand. It took a while for the wood to start burning, as it was partially wet. Soon, however, flames began to lick the wood hungrily. As the fire burned merrily, I was reminded of the many times I sat around campfires during the summer. A feeling of peace washed over me. For a few moments, I wasn’t thinking about school.

I’ve heard some say that school should be treated as a job and others say a student is like someone who owns a business when it comes to how much time should be spent on school. For me, school is an opportunity for higher learning that will spur me on into a lifetime of academics and spiritual growth. I easily get caught up, thinking that school is my life. In some ways, this is true, but life is more than what your syllabi dictates.

Recently, I’ve noticed that I feel most stressed when deadlines are looming and “normal” when they’re not very close. In college, that means that my level of stress will vary from hour to hour, depending on the classes I attend and the homework that is assigned. This stress is not all bad. Indeed, it is often the very thing that pushes me to achieve.

However, I came into college thinking that the more effort I put into college, the better. I pulled big, long academic work weeks, often spending twelve hours a day on academics, falling into bed at the end of the day utterly exhausted, only to sleep for a few hours and do it all over again. This wasn’t healthy.

I've come to realize that sometimes sleep is more important than homework and well timed, fun activities are important for personal wellbeing. College is busy and fun; however, taking time for yourself is vital, as it promotes personal wholeness.

Today, for instance, I slept adequately, went to a park and played on the playground (I’m a child at heart) and read a few chapters of a Harry Potter book for fun. I also attended classes and did several hours of homework.

Handling stress in college means taking time for yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually. Even though these activities seem time consuming and look like one more thing on your already too long To Do List, they’re key to living well in college.

Yet, minimizing stress is not just something you do. It’s how you think. What do you think about in your down time? Are you stressing over the homework for one class while doing the homework for another? I was raised to be present when I’m with other people, out of courtesy. Yet, am I being present when I’m by myself? How often does my stress over what’s due in a few days ruin the joy of the present moment? I very easily get caught up in the details and forget the big picture. I need to remind myself often that one assignment isn’t the end of the world, as much as it might feel like it.

I’m headed into week five of this semester. This weekend has the potential to be meaningful, productive and relaxing or frantic, overwhelming and stressful. While I can’t eliminate my deadlines, I can choose how to order my thoughts and approach my deadlines. The same is true for you. What will you choose?