I am writing this to you on a more relaxed day with minimal responsibilities. I know what you are thinking, "I am not going to be able to understand your current level of stress." I’m assuming you are feeling overwhelmed by work, school, friends, and/or extracurricular activities, all of which are stretching you pretty thin.

I will make this short and sweet because I know you have got work to do. Before you have a breakdown, let me remind you of all that you have done to get to this point. This is not your first semester of college. You have survived through multiple all-nighters and Saturday nights spent at home. As you approach tears, you need to keep these four words in mind, you survived, they survived.

Not only have you gone through these same pressures and stresses before, but those who have graduated before you have as well, and look at them now. This feeling is temporary. Take a step back and remind yourself of the things that this life has blessed you with. Those things will still be there when you finish studying for this test or finish that term paper. Take your time, and do it right. It may stress you out now, but that A+ will be well worth the extra time and effort, trust me I know what I am talking about.

If you feel like you just cannot go on any longer, take a break and grab a snack (you do love your snacks) and just breathe. Now, if you are thinking about dropping out, I’m going to need you to stop and think about all of the Science classes you had had to take… let that sink in… good, you are back. Now that we have ruled out leaving school forever, return back to your desk (don’t forget your snack) and get back to work.

Before you know it, you will be lounging around binge-watching Netflix again, but not before you finish whatever it is you’re stressing out about now. It’s time to channel your inner Rory Gilmore because you got this!

Remember, you survived, they survived and you are capable.