With Finals Week right around the corner (yikes!), stress levels are shooting through the roof. If you’ve procrastinated all semester and now it’s time to grind, then God can only help you. However, if you have been keeping up with everything or at least have been trying to, and Finals Week is literally going to pose a threat to your mental state, then this article is for you. Here are six ways to avoid stress.

1. Get organized.

No, I don’t mean put stuff into a folder. I mean write stuff down on a piece of paper or in a planner, so you can see what you’re dealing with. Laying everything out helps you to see everything better visually. Also, when you complete those tasks, it is a great feeling when you cross everything off.

2. Know your deadlines.

When you know your deadlines, you know what you need to do. If something is due next Tuesday, and it is a one-page reflection, do it and get it out the way. If it is a 20-page paper and it is due in three weeks, start setting mini-deadlines to have small pieces of the paper together so that when the big deadline comes, all you have to worry about is proofreading and other smaller tasks.

3. Don’t overthink.

Let’s be honest. Overthinking does not get you anywhere. You can scream, yell, text all the stuff you have to do, but if that is all you’re doing, then you are definitely not getting anywhere, and no one has time for this. So, that being said, don’t overthink, just do what you can do to the best of your ability.

4. Be productive in every way possible

I am not saying pull all-nighters until the end of the world (I would never do that). However, if you are just sitting on your couch watching Netflix, stop and do something productive. If you go to the library to check out a book for your research paper, print your PowerPoint slides as well, or look up other books for your other paper. Doing little things day by day will make your life a little easier.

5. Pace yourself.

This is simple, or at least it should be. If not, think of it like this: if you have a 20-page paper due Thursday, don’t start the Tuesday before it is due. You will cry.

6. Don’t forget to breathe.

Stress is a part of life, and frankly, it is very unhealthy, so breathe. It will be okay. If you need to take a walk on campus, go for a drive, eat, sleep, then do it. If you do not follow steps 1-5, then follow this one. Please don’t kill yourself over this.

Good luck on your finals! You got this!