From the semester’s course load to rushing to clubs to keeping up with your social life, there are so many things happening this semester and it’s so important to keep from stressing. Stress can absolutely consume you, but luckily there are some simple ways to keep from getting overwhelmed with all of your activities around campus.

1. Keep a planner

Planners are everything. Write things down in two places to make sure that you don’t forget, and update it as much as you possibly can. Use your computer’s calendar as well as your planner and cross-check both when trying to schedule anything and everything. From homework to events to visits with family, everything can be easily tracked on your planner. Don’t assume you’ll remember everything because trust me you won’t. And planners are super cute, so get yourself some colored pens and start organizing your life. It’ll make you feel better (until you look at how much you just wrote in your planner of course).

2. Sit in bed and watch "The Office"

…or Friends or That 70’s Show, or any show that makes you smile. Something to take your mind off of all of your responsibilities for a while. Just take a 30-minute breather to watch one of your all-time favorite shows and you’ll be able to sit back and relax instead of worrying.

3. Go to the gym or go for a walk

Take an hour out of your day and go to the gym just to clear your head and get your blood flowing because at the end of the daily movement is so good for you! Going to the gym is one of my favorite ways to destress because I can really get out of whatever funk I’m in and focus on my music and tuning out anything that's bothering me. Alternatively, if you don’t want to go to the gym you can easily take a walk around campus with some friends or by yourself if you want to listen to music. Delaware’s campus is so pretty to walk around and it’s sure to clear your mind when you’re having a stressful week

4. Call your parents

Seriously it’ll make you feel like you’re home and it’ll help to talk to people who truly support you in everything that you do. I know that when I FaceTime my parents I feel like I’m there in the room with them and that always manages to calm me down. It’ll brighten your day and make you smile.

5. Check in on your friends from home

Not only is this a good distraction, but it is so important. Although you may not get to talk to old friends as often as you’d like, it is the best feeling in the world to hear from them and see what they’ve been doing lately.

No matter what you’re involved in on campus and in your personal life, you’re bound to be stressed out at some point. Hopefully these tips will help you as much as they help me to keep myself from freaking out when I get overwhelmed!