College has a lot to offer, but it can feel overwhelming when everything starts to add up. Difficult classes, various clubs and organizations, friends, significant others, resume building, and internships all sounded wonderful at the beginning of the semester…and then you realized that you don’t have time for it all.

College is too short to spend your time feeling stressed.
Here are some helpful tips to get rid of stress and make the most of your college experience:

Exercise

Working out is a great way to release tension and endorphins to boost your mood. Try out a few different fun ways to exercise and find what works for you. Don’t feel too frustrated if the first few activities don’t work out. It can take time to find the exercise routine that’s right for you. Make sure you’re realistic with exercise too. If you are new to exercise pick a day once or twice a week to go. Get a workout buddy or join a workout class to help motivate you to workout.

2. Keep a clean room

Rather than wonder about strange smells, piles of clutter or a pile of laundry on your floor, imagine slipping into a bed with freshly washed sheets and drawers full of folded, organized clothes. Clutter = stress because clutter reminds us of all that we have to do and how chaotic everything feels. Ditch the clutter and the stress. Try adding a closet organizer or purchasing a couple baskets to help store random items.

3. Find your zen place

Find a space, whether it be your bedroom, a coffee shop, your local church or an outside area and make it your space to relax. If you are indoors (aka your bedroom)  get some candles and burn them when you’re stressed. Create a playlist or a Pandora station that calms you down and give yourself at least 15 minutes to breathe and soak in music that keeps you calm. If you opt to go outside, take a minute to admire the beauty of nature and let yourself ease into it. If you’re really dedicated to finding peace, try meditating for a brief time (10-15 minutes) each day in your zen place.

4. Sleep

While you may be tempted to prioritize studying or working more hours over your sleep schedule, your body won’t thank you for it later (no matter how much coffee you consume). Lack of sleep will make you crabby around others, make it more difficult for you to concentrate in class and when studying and could cause fatigue and headaches. Seriously, get at least 7 hours a night (for everyone’s sake).

5. Laugh

There is nothing that makes me feel more at peace than when someone or something makes me laugh. Lighten up and laugh a little! Go have fun. Go out with your friends whether it be to lunch or to the bars. Invite someone over and watch a comedy. Even catch up with old friends and take a mini-vacation for the weekend! Let yourself find humor in each day and remember that life was meant to be enjoyed.

Stephanie Dilworth is a contributing writer for USA TODAY College and a senior at the University of Michigan. Stephanie studies Political Science and Sociology and hopes to pursue a career that combines her love of writing with her passion for women’s rights. She is particularly interested in campus sexual harassment and assault prevention work. Her past work experience includes writing as a staff reporter at the Michigan Daily and publishing online articles through her internships at the City Manager’s Office in Troy, Michigan and at the American Association of University Women in Washington, D.C.

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