To put it plainly, college is tough. The semesters seem to drag on, but there's something special about fall semester that makes that one a little more bearable. Through all of the exams, midterms, finals, and reports, you have longer breaks throughout the semester. It gives you a few extra days to take your mind off of the same old stress that you're used to.

When the spring semester pops up, that's not exactly the case. There's one break from the collegiate chaos that you can use to recharge before you have to jump back into it again.

Here's your friendly reminder that it's just as important to take recovery time for yourself during the spring semester outside of spring break.

I'm guilty of not doing it myself. A lot of the time, I end up topping off my days with TV and Netflix. Don't get me wrong, Netflix binges are the best, but there are plenty of other ways out there to de-stress. You can take care of your mental and emotional health in other ways besides your favorite TV show.

Some of the biggest advice I can offer (and need to follow myself) is utilizing weekends. Sometimes your body just needs to do absolutely nothing all day. However, have you thought about grabbing the book that's been collecting dust on your night stand? Reading is one of the best stress-relievers out there, especially before bed. It's a good way to calm yourself down and ease into better sleep. So maybe instead of scrolling through countless posts on social media, reach for a good book.

On the other hand, it's important not to put all your eggs in one basket. Sure, weekends are the easiest times to relax, but it's just as important to find points during the week to put your mind at ease. If it's possible, get your friends together and watch your favorite show during the week. Not only is it better than watching it alone, but if you're like me and my cousin watching Riverdale, you'll have somebody to grab onto and scream about theories with.

Now that the weather is getting nicer, take advantage of all the gorgeous spots that Morgantown has to offer! Go visit Cooper's Rock or go run on a trail with your friends. (Just be careful. Make sure it's well-lit and preferably in the middle of the day.)

I know it's tough getting through the spring semester when you have the perfect storm of the typical college stress, cabin fever from spending winter indoors, and other stress, but remember to put yourself first. You're not going to rise to your fullest potential if you don't feel your best, and as Mark Black said,

"Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax."