Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Have you ever thought about what you had to do for the day and passed out at the thought of it all? Have you ever not been able to comprehend your tasks for the day because there were so many? Have you ever cried because you did not remember what you had to do next after you cleaned your room?

Because college has got me all types of overwhelmed, because college has got me crying when I forget all the things I have to do for the day, because college has got me often passing out when my tasks seem uncountable- I have turned into a list-making fanatic. When college made me feel I was drowning in my responsibilities, the hand written lists in my handy-dandy journal were there to calm me down and reassured me my duties would be completed.

What am I doing for the day? I wrote it down in my journal. What homework assignments do I have to complete by the end of the weekend? I wrote each down in my journal so the assignments due days before other assignments would be completed first. What are my goals for my first semester? I wrote it down in the journal, from making new friends to traveling to San Francisco. Do I have to do laundry or write my articles for Odyssey first? If I looked in my journal, my lists helped me decide and know I'd get my laundry done even if I wrought the article after.

TRUE LIFE: I am a list maker.

Making lists and crossing out each task as they are completed has given me an immense amount of pleasure. In a culture with a surfeit of choices, lists have been my way to coalesce and conquer. Lists have helped me make progress with a clearer, lighter head- with full assurance my tasks would be completed. Crossing out to-do's can be a healthy self-protective action, or a healthy obsession. And in this case, well channeled obsession has lead to my success and solace.

1. My lists have helped me select and prioritize.

2. My lists have given me a sense of completion.

3. Writing down my aspirations/bucket lists has kept me inspired.

4. Made my loads feel more manageable.

5. Made me successful.

I used to think nothing felt better than crossing out a duty after it has been completed on a list. However, nothing feels better than looking at one of my handwritten lists in my journal and seeing all my to-do's crossed out and completed. With my new found sense of inner mastery, my new list making fanatic has helped me stay empowered and feel less chaotic and unclear.

When I felt extremely annoyed with the amount of studying I had to do the week before final week, I made a list, prioritizing studying but making space to take breaks, like washing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning my room, or packing for winter break. By not powering through my studying, I was able to retain more information because I was studying at a healthy pace.

My recommendation to the overwhelmed: make a list! From making a simple itinerary for the day to outlining a research paper- I have combated my procrastination and avoidance, becoming committed and taking action to the things I have to do.