It seems like only yesterday the new semester was beginning, yet here we are with finals starting next week. During this time of year, it is easy to get swamped with all your work, which is why it is important to manage your time.

It is easy to get stressed out during this time of year when teachers swamp you with projects and papers. The most important thing to do is make sure that you relax, take a deep breath, and plan everything out that you need to do. I know how difficult it can be to do just that, this is my first year at school here and the amount of work is far greater than what I saw at my last college.

Suddenly having a mountain of projects that are all due in the same week and all require an incredible amount of work, and that can get to you.

But planning ahead of time is not all you can do to manage the last few weeks of a semester. You also need to make sure that you get enough sleep, eat enough, and study enough. Sleep is the time where your body heals from whatever plague you have. Sleep also allows your brain to retain all the information that you have been studying. Which means if you want to remember that huge formula you need for that math exam, then go to bed. You also need food, food fuels you and gives you more energy to accomplish your studying needs. Overall, just take care of yourself.

Do not procrastinate, it is easy to put things off to the night before but that will not really help you unless you already have a grasp on what you are preparing for.

Another thing you should do is make sure that you take time out of your day for a break. Studying is an absolute necessity, but you do not want to burn yourself out on the first day. Make time for a little fun too, take a movie break or leave some time to laugh with your friends. Little breaks can help your brain relax but do not let those little breaks turn into a 7-hour break. Try to stay on task.

Above all else, do not panic about what you must do. It always works out in the end as long as you put in the effort. We all will make it through.