This semester has started with a massive bout of excitement. Spring is always the semester that things actually start to happen. Education majors begin their block classes, nursing majors begin clinicals, freshman honors students begin to choose seminars… and overall campus is buzzing with anticipation for the coming months.

Yet now that we are a month into classes, that anticipation and excitement has begun to fade as massive amounts of stress begin to sit in. While this stress is inevitable, it’s not the only option. Below I have compiled several options that can aid in relieving this stress and help to make this semester one of the best:

1. Take a walk. Even if you aren’t doing anything important, spending time outside helps to energize and relax you.
2. Drink plenty of water. While staying hydrated is always a great idea, drinking more water than usual during periods of high stress will help you to stay awake and curb those feelings of hunger.
3. Be frugal. While shopping can be a great stress reliever, make sure that you aren’t spending money that you don’t have. If you’re going to spend money, try to find incredible deals and think long and hard before making a purchase. Spending less will have the benefits of increasing satisfaction and removing future stresses from monetary issues.
4. Stay organized. Make sure to write every assignment in a planner and keep that with you to remind yourself of upcoming dates. Take a break between assignments to clean your living space. Cleaning and organizing can provide a valuable break and relieve the stress of a cluttered environment.
5. Get off campus. Go out to eat. Go see a movie. Go bowling. Do something fun with friends that helps to break the monotony and get your mind off of things.
6. Go to the gym. Working out is a massive stress reliever and helps boost confidence.
7. Dress nicely for no reason to feel confident.
8. And more than anything, try to take a moment to just do nothing. Read a book for fun. Play some games. Do anything but be productive for just a moment. It may seem like a waste of time amidst the stress, but in the long run taking a moment to breathe and recover will do much more good for relieving stress than constantly working ever could.

Overall, the best way to handle stress is just to do something out of the routine. Follow this advice as well as your own and find out what works for you. You’ll become the champ of this semester in no time.