I'm involved in a lot of things on campus. I really care about my grades. I have a tendency to overextend myself.

In the midst of a busier-than-normal week, I've found myself experiencing more stress than I would like. Sure, some stress is good - it can be motivating even. However, when stress becomes so overwhelming I don't even know where to begin, that's when it starts to become a problem.

I always think much better when everything is written out in front of me. I'm a big advocate for making lists of everything I have to get done. Despite this, sometimes when the list starts to get long it only incites more stress. So, although I like to-do lists, they sometimes serve as another task on my to-do list - writing the list is a task in and of itself. On top of this, reading it only serves as a stressful reminder of all of my numerous assignments.

So, although I once thought this was a task that aided me in my stress, I have since realized that it instead contributes to it.

One practice I have found to benefit me in times of stress is listening to music. Two of my personal favorite calming artists, in particular, are Jack Johnson and Frank Sinatra.The type of music is immensely important - I need music that is calming, so much so that I am still able to be productive while listening to it. I have observed that some others instead turn to more upbeat music that incites them to action and motivates them. Although I am not this type of person, I see merit in both.

So why write this article merely putting my thoughts about stress on a page? I have often found that instead of admitting our stress, we internalize it, putting on a brave face for others. I'm not ashamed to be stressed. It is an accepted facet of college. Just because I'm having a particularly stressful week does not mean I have to write about something overly upbeat in order to avert my attention.

Instead, while I'm writing this and thinking of all the other things I need to get done, I've used it as a productive space to reflect and come to terms with what I am feeling. What seems important now will be over next week, regardless of how I have handled it.

Although I would not recommend writing Odyssey articles when you have more pressing commitments, I would recommend taking a little time to gather your thoughts and come to terms with your stress. After all, it is inevitable.