This time of year is a favorite for most people. The holiday season is a time to cherish your friends, family and just about everything else you have, and it's a time we all come together. If you're a college student, like me, however, the holiday season brings forth something else too: finals, projects, tests, papers, assignments, etc. Being in college, especially this time of year, can be extremely stressful. All of the sudden, you have only two or three weeks left of school for the semester but numerous tests, assignments and projects. Time management becomes crucial. Your stress levels are at an all-time high. Your Thanksgiving "break," like mine, may be filled with to-do lists and playing "catch up" on all of the things you've fallen behind on.

Take time to cherish and be thankful anyway.

I know it can be hard around finals week to remember all of the good things, but make sure you take the opportunity to be thankful for everyone around you. Although college can be stressful, remember all of the friends, fun and new experiences it has brought you. If you're anything like me, you can jump to point all of the negative things about college out right away. It's stressful. Classes are hard. I have no free time. Don't get me wrong, I love my university and have loved my college experience thus far, however, when I get stressed out.... college's often to blame. When this happens, I have to take a few steps back and remind myself how lucky I am to receive an education, to be accepted into this university and for people around me supporting me through these four years.

All in all, we all may need to just take a few steps back. It can be hard, especially with the stresses of the end of the semester, but take time to remember how incredibly blessed and thankful we should all be to have our college and college experiences. Yes, finals suck, but in the long run you won't remember the studying, the stress or how many things you had on your to-do list. You'll remember your friends, the fun and just about everything else.

College students, keep your head up this holiday season. Remember to be thankful, and best of luck this finals week.