The semester is winding down, Cortaca has passed us, and our focus turns into the final stretch to Thanksgiving and of course, then the dreaded final exams, to lead us into the sweet relief of Winter break.
However, while we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, we have a month to get everything we haven't done all semester finished. If you're anything like me, when I'm at my worst I turn to my "Friends" to make me feel better. They give the best advice and when the going gets tough, I'm willing to drop everything for the reassurance that figuring out adulthood doesn't always have to be all that terrible...as long as you have your "Friends."
So you've had it, huh? Have so much to do you just want to lay in bed and do nothing?
Can't bare to sit in another lecture hall or open another textbook?
Time to sit back, listen to your friends, because would they ever steer you wrong?
Stress Management Tip #1: Achieve Unagi
Take a breath, relax, organize your thoughts and ideas while also writing out everything you have to do. Map out a plan, and be ready to attack it. Whether you are a post-it type, scheduler, to-do list type, use your go-to way of organizing your priorities and map out due-dates, ideas for projects and papers, or study techniques. While seeing all the things you have to do, written out on paper, may be scary or stress you out a little more, it's the best way to avoid surprises down the road. Rip off the band aid and who knows... you may realize you don't have as much on your plate as you thought!
(Disclaimer: UNAGI is also a type of sushi and hey, if all else fails, that might help too.)
Stress Management Tip #2: Diet is important!
Okay so you might have 300 Dragon Dollars left...should you go order a bucket of Raquet Wings for just yourself to have in a night because you want to stress eat? Probably not... You might have 3 Dragon Dollars left... should you see it as a blessing in disguise because it's not like you have time to eat anyways after you relize how much you have to do after achieving Unagi? Probably not... get the wings, share the wealth to your Dragon Dollar-lacking friends and everyones happy. Stress eating or under eating is not going to help you ace that final. You may as well enjoy some pizza and also try to avoid feeling like a rolli-polli-olli. 
Stress Management Tip #3- Get Moving!
With the new Student Life Center, the opportunities are endless. If you're not the weight room or treadmill type, take a shot at the rock wall, shoot some hoops, go for a swim, or try some yoga and/or meditation. The Student Life Center offers various Mind and Body programs for the ultimate form of stress relief. New to yoga and skeptical to drop in a class? Well it's 2015 and you can do anything from the comfort of your own dorm room/house. There are classes and exercises for those new to yoga or for any level or interest.
(I recommend "Yoga with Adriene" :)
Stress Management Tip #4: Blow Off Some Steam
There's a place to go for all of my 21 years and older friends when the stress gets the best of us. We all know that place. However, keep in mind,
"Eva Cyhlarova from The Mental Health Foundation says: "Over time, heavy drinking interferes with the neurotransmitters in the brain that are needed for good mental health. So while alcohol may help deal with stress in the short term, in the long run it can contribute to feeling of depression and anxiety and make stress harder to deal with." With that being said, no harm in spontaneous dorm room/ apartment dance parties, some foosball, or some occasional, responsible alcohol consumption!
Stress Management Tip #5 Try Something You've Never Done Before!
Watch the Golden Girls, eat some macaroni in an unexpected place, forget time, kiss a guy, kiss a girl, or be a Vanilla Ice impersonator! I bet he doesn't worry about things like finals! Whether it be relaxing, irresponsible, or straight up weird, do it! You never know what will make you feel better or what kind of new hobbies or people you may discover! Your friends said it...not me!
Tip #6: When the going gets tough, go to your friends!
Whether your friends are the ones on T.V and you want to do that whole lay in bed thing, or you want take their advice, and fight back at the stressful little things that make us want to pull our hair out, life's better with someone by your side! Be it your roommates, team mates, significant other, or even family, don't tackle it alone! In the scheme of things, that exams not going to matter, that paper is going to get done (or not,) and college isn't going to last forever. At the end of the day, all you have that stays true, is the people that helps us through it...even if you only see them on Nick at Night at 11 p.m...
