We are getting into the third week or fourth week of classes now, and I have noticed that old habits are popping up once again. You know the drill: assignments piling up, procrastination, practice for sport's teams, etc. With all of those things going on, all of your free time virtually goes out the window.

If you are anything like me when this happens, you put all of your focus on your responsibilities and put your emotional/mental health on the backburner. Last year for the first couple of months, until January really, I focused solely on academics and tennis. I would use my free time to nap usually and therefore I neglected other things I loved. Thus, I was emotionally drained and so sad. However, once I began to make time for things like: Bible studies, Cru, movie nights, etc. I became so much happier!

If I could give myself advice before starting college, it would be to start taking care of myself earlier on in my college career. If I had taken the ten minutes to read my Bible every morning or even watch an episode of a TV show between classes, I would have been so much happier and healthier!

Something that started helping me to get back on track was simply reading the verse of the day on my Bible app. My favorite Bible verse was also something that I clung to when I was feeling down.

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." -Psalm 46:10

Psalm 46:10 gave me comfort in my times of stress and trial last year. It reminded me to be still in times of chaos and rely on God through every situation.

So, my advice to you freshman, is to take time for yourself amidst all of the homework and sporting events you have to compete in. You will be more happy overall and more fun to be around. Trust me, you'll thank me later!