The beginning of the semester is so free and so light. Your work load hasn't developed yet and neither have your priorities. This feeling of happiness and joy lasts for about two weeks.

Now, four almost five weeks in; we feel like we're being suffocated and forgot how to "do school without dying". Endless hours at the library seem to not even help sometimes because five classes of work adds up quickly and intensely. My poor planner is fighting to keep closed and stay organized.

What I learned as a freshman is as redundant and frustrating it is, staying organized in class and out of class goes such a long way. See, professors can sometimes be super heroes and keep your organized or they can just be a figure who stands in front of the classroom and lectures for an hour and a half straight. To avoid getting thrown off, you as an individual disregarding your professors tendencies, must stay organized.

Procrastination is not my friend nor is it yours. Though it may sound that procrastinating is the best way to get work done, it is NOT. In fact, you tend to stress when in procrastination mode so your work won't be the best you can do. Time management is your answer. Planning a week or so ahead is what leads you to success and A's.

As a student athlete I also learned how important it was to not only separate homework and assignments from the track but to separate it from your outside world. Sure, it may invade sometimes but allowing your assignments and due dates to alter your life outside of the classroom isn't healthy and really isn't good for our mental health. Students are humans and especially those of us who commute, we have lives and spontaneous priorities that tend to get in the way.

Learning how to be a flexible and reliable student results in great grades and wonderful relationships with your classmates and professors. Yes, the semester builds up quickly but as long as you are focused and determined, you can keep up and do so well.