At this point in the semester, many students begin to feel burnt out from the fast-paced nature of coursework forcing preparation for exams in a short amount of time. We begin to wonder: Am I doing enough? What if I don't do well? Is this all worth it? I am a firm believer that sometimes all it takes to relax and generate some positive thoughts and habits is listening to others' positive thoughts in song form. So, whether you're a struggling student or just someone in need of uplifting, here are three of my favorite tunes plus my own positive thoughts that will hopefully remind you to take a deep breath and assure you of your inevitable and deserved happiness and success.

"Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise" - The Avett Brothers

This song has a steadiness about it that makes it equally calming and motivating. Both the rhythm and lyrics achieve this duality.

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I'll scream 'til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out.

We often are the ones restricting ourselves from reaching our goals. Why do we let ourselves get in the way? Sometimes our heads are just full of doubt. If you're feeling doubtful about whether you've mastered the material for your exam or whether you're competent enough to get your dream internship or job, and those thoughts alone are hindering you, you've got to kick those thoughts to the curb (I know, it is way easier said than done). Everyone has doubts about their talents, and I think, to a certain extent, they are useful because they can force diligence. But what you cannot do is doubt to the point of self-sabotage. Just know that you are in control of the fulfillment of your goals. This is a bit scary because it means that, most of the time, nothing is going to be handed to you—but then again, it is comforting because it means you have so much power just by your nature.

Decide what to be and go be it.

The idea of becoming president one day sounds impossible. But, if you really think about it, the only reason it's impossible is that I'm saying it's impossible. In the same way, passing your cumulative chemistry exam might sound impossible, but it only will be if you allow it to be. Your road is promising; it is not a dead end.

Lyrics from http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/avettbrothers/headf...

"Let's Be Still" - The Head and the Heart

Even though the title encourages stillness, I can't help but sway contently when listening to this song. I imagine floating on a cloud would give me the same feelings this song gives me (do not take this literally, because the feelings brought on by floating on a cloud would probably be fear and panic since clouds are not actually solid objects that can support the weight of a human).

The world's just spinning
A little too fast
If things don't slow down soon we might not last.
So just for the moment, let's be still.

Working towards goals is important. However, everyone has to take time to do things that are strictly enjoyable and require little effort. Our world is obsessed with speed and deadlines and time and work, so, if you're like me, you spend every free moment you have on your smartphone. That might feel like downtime, but it actually exhausts us further and keeps our minds racing. Go on a walk, read a book, lie on the ground for a bit, and put your phone away (I'm mainly telling these things to myself). Because our world functions the way it does, I know how hard it is to find time to chill. And, since I know how demanding education is, I don't condone putting off studying in order to do nothing for awhile; for me, that creates more stress. Study, write your paper, and then enjoy being still.

The days turn into months, the months turn into years.
So just for the moment, let's be still.

But, then again, if we keep racing around and promising ourselves that we'll relax once we finish everything, the days will turn into months, and the months will turn into years, and we still will have a long list of tasks to be done. So, maybe instead of doing everything at once and then making time to enjoy yourself, do some studying, and be still. Write some of your paper, and be still. Balance, balance, balance.

Lyrics from http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/headandtheheart/let...

"The Wolves & the Ravens" - Rogue Valley

As I listen to this song, I imagine myself sitting at the beach just as the sun is beginning to rise. The air is cool; the sky is greyish blue. The only sound that can be heard is the crashing of the waves; no keyboard clicks or scribbling of pencils. The sea does not demand anything from you (not a ten page research paper, not ten hours of burying your head in your textbook), except for your succumbing to its soothing natural melodies. Listen to this to momentarily go on vacation. But try not to cry when the song ends and you realize you're not actually on vacation.

In the morning by the sea
As the fog clears from the sand
I have no money in my hand
I have no home, I have no land
But it doesn't trouble me
As I lay beside the fire
I am easy to inspire
There is little I require.

The lyrics to this song should make you feel relaxed about wherever the rest of your life takes you. I mean, this guy has no money, no home, and no land, and it doesn't even trouble him. So, if you end up failing all of your exams and have to spend the rest of your days living by the sea (or in this case, Lake Michigan) with no money, you'll still be happy. However, the chances of you failing all of your exams are slim, as are the chances of having to live on the shores of Lake Michigan broke. The main point this song tries to make is that whatever you end up doing with your life, as long as you're happy, you need not be troubled; also, you will find your niche. So, if you're completely uninspired by your math class or business class or current internship, there are so many things out there for you to explore. You will find something that makes you happy.

People find where they belong
Or keep on.

Everyone has a place. If you don't hit the mark right away, keep on.

Lyrics from http://genius.com/Rogue-valley-the-wolves-and-the-...