As I was laying in bed on the other night my mind was filling with all my thoughts. Chemistry exam Tuesday, study session Sunday afternoon, essays due Wednesday, Monday lab, Thursday HOME and two weeks, SUMMER. All these thoughts kept piling up as I started to worry how I would get all of this done in four days and then how to finish up in two weeks.

I would say I my hardest critic. I put a lot on myself to get certain grades, maintain relationships with friends from home, study enough, call my mom and dad as often as I can, workout every day, sleep a sufficient amount and enjoy the blessings around me.

In today's world it is so hard to stop, be still and be present in the moment. Our minds chase after what is coming next instead of noticing what is right in front of us. Personally, the chase gives me the feeling of being overwhelmed by these 'things' and I get the thought I am not capable of completing these obligations I put on myself. I often feel as if these obligations I carry are bigger than me and this is something I struggle a lot with. I am always on the go and moving a million miles an hour, at least I feel like I am physically and my mind is mentally.

And I know I am not the only one who feels like this. All of my friends and I talk about how we feel guilty going out on the weekends, watching movies or going to bed early instead of studying, re- watching lectures, making it to the gym or catching up with friends from home.

The unfortunate truth is, this is how life is going to roll from here on out. We are going to be busy, stressed, overwhelmed, sleep deprived and the walking dead somedays. But it's all about how you make time for the things that matter, and maybe right now you don't know what's worth caring about but that's okay. It'll come and you'll know what matters to you and what doesn't.

I've been here for seven months and it wasn't until this past Friday night I realized what was worth caring about.

We drove to the outlet mall, because why not and we remembered there was this shrine in the same city. So we went. Between the four of us, we sat there in pure silence. Honestly, I had no idea we could be this quiet. At first it was awkward but then it hit me that some of my stresses I put on myself, are not worth my stress.

It's easy to say but hard to do. Our natural inclination is to stress, worry and over think certain situations. When at the end of the day, above all we should be the best versions of ourselves and added stresses road block us from achieving our best.

And if there are things in your life holding you back from being the best version of yourself, let them go. Granted we have things in our lives that make it hard to be the best version, for example rigorous academics cause stress. But find people who are in it with you and be positive supports for one another and power through together.

I get it, a lot of times our mind rules over our words. There are obligations we put on ourselves that are indeed larger than us but if they make you the best version of yourself, it is worth it. If it causes added stress, drop it as soon as you can.