Last night, I was making a physical schedule of the papers that needed to be written and studying that needed to be accomplished. The overwhelming urge to flee to the mountains hit me like a train. I could not sleep well and I had more trouble than usual dragging myself out of bed to go to class. The day drug on and on until I reached into my backpack searching aimlessly for a pencil in the forgotten depths. Then I pulled out a card. It was just a small square and only one phrase was on it: "One day at a time."

My suite mates had given me the small card of encouragement to use in my journal I have since lost. But nonetheless the card lit a spark. One day at a time. Reading the phrase sent a sudden release of pressure off of me like a tea pot letting out a yell of steam. Although I have so much to do and a bad habit of procrastination (to the extreme), it sent me a guidance that let me know I can do this.

For most, finals week is the most stressful part of college but before the tests comes the pre-tests. Most of my classes have tests before the final that finish the material. The week is stressful and intense and sacrifices have to be made. To skip Gano's cupcakes and soup or write a five page paper that's due at 11:59? It's up to you. Now is your time to prove to yourself, not your professors or the university but to YOU, that you can do it. Take the studies, the papers, the finals, the schedules one day at a time.