Summer: those few months of the year where time doesn’t really exist, the days and nights spent on the beach all blur together, and you're mostly surrounded with friends and family. Well, if you’re lucky that’s how it goes, but the sad truth is that a lot of us have to face reality and take those summer classes, work full-time to pay the bills, or take on that unpaid, 40-hour-a-week internship. Many college students are finding their summer to be just as busy and stressful as the school year, and the lack of a break will only cause more damage to your mental health in the long run. If you’re like me and so many others who are trying to take on as much as possible this summer season, think smart about it so that it doesn’t get too overwhelming.

1. Have a "de-stresser" that you can depend on doing each day.

Maybe you like running, taking hot baths, or watching a certain show on Netflix - but participating in a daily activity that relaxes you is one of the best things for significant day-to-day stress management. If you're go go go from dawn till dusk and even late into the night, chances are good that you're not taking the time out for yourself that you need, and you'll be burnt out by the time fall semester begins.

2. Plan mini-vacations or treat yourself to stay motivated.

As busy as you might be, everyone needs a vacation or a break from reality to clear their head and come back to work or school refreshed and with a new perspective. This all depends on budget, so if you can afford to spend a week in the Bahamas...definitely do that. But if not, little things like spending a day pampering yourself, getting a massage, or even going to see a movie can make a world of difference in terms of improving your drive and focus during the day as well as relieving stress. Not only that, but planning a trip or day for yourself keeps you motivated and looking forward to something, and can help to keep you more productive in the days leading up to it.

3. Learn to say no.

A common trait in me (and a lot of other people, I'm sure) is the unwillingness to say no. No matter what opportunities come up, if it seems like it'd be good for me, I'll take it. But soon enough, I'm swamped with so many things to do and it's almost like I didn't even think about what I could or couldn't take on. Make sure to create a schedule each week, and say yes not just because not just because it's a lucrative opportunity, but also because it's doable and won't make every other aspect of your life suffer.

4. Have your “unavailable hours” and stick with them.

We all find ourselves putting things off and then trying to finish them late at night, or doing work at home even if we’ve already been working all day. While sometimes these things are unavoidable due to time constraints, try to have a set time each day where you shut everything off and give yourself some time to relax and be without technology or social media. Whether it’s turning off the TV and phone at 9 PM, or not responding to emails until after your morning coffee, it’s good to give yourself that time to just not worry and overthink things.

5. Write.

I'm not saying this because I write and the benefits of writing are great for me, but writing has been proven to be not just a good creative outlet, but also an awesome way to relieve stress and organize your thoughts and ideas. Whether it's journaling, writing down your dreams every night, or just making up a story and jotting it down, any kind of writing is a great way to keep your stress levels down and possibly give you more mental clarity.

Even if you don't follow all of these, implementing just one or two strategies into your oh-so-busy life could really change things for the better, and that's the whole goal here. What's most important is feeling okay at the end of the day, knowing you can handle whatever life throws at you, and being able to effectively manage your time and your stress - because stress is inevitable, no matter how many hot baths you take or journal entries you write. Just remember that a busy summer doesn't have to equal a miserable summer, so long as you know how to create a good balance.