Thinking of dropping out? Crying before you take a test? Sounds like you’ve officially reached point in the year where you just want to give up. The weather may or may not be slowly starting to get better or you might simply have less than a semester left. Personally, I’m ending my fourth week of second semester of my first year, and I’ve reached the point where if I see another algebra problem I just might burst. (Why do criminal justice majors need college algebra?) If you’ve read this and are laughing right now, you might need these five tips to make it through this semester.

1. Take some me time.

In college it’s really easy to overwork yourself. However, you need to be able to sit down and have some me time. Whether that’s doing face masks with your friends or rewatching Gossip Girl for the tenth time. Relaxation is important no matter how many tests you need to study for. If you overwork yourself it’s seriously bad for your health. You deserve to take a break every once and awhile.

2. Prioritze

It’s a known fact that in college you have to choose between three things: sleep, your social life and homework. Realistically prioritize between what you think is most important at the time. Yes, Steven might be at a super hyped up party tonight but if you have a test the next day you should probably study. Remember despite all the partying or sporting events, you’re in college to learn not see how quickly you can drink a beer stick.

3. Call home.

You might think that this is a silly tip or you might not. Calling home can be one of the best things that you could personally do. You’re already either an hour away or maybe even twelve hours away. You don’t have home cooked meals in college so the closest thing you’ll probably get to that is making a phone call to home. Calling your siblings or parents can relieve all of the stress that you have for the time being. Now, if your family members love constantly asking you about college this might not be the best idea but a good alternative would be calling a friend from home. At the end of the day, your parents have raised you so you owe it to them to call or text them every once in a while to make sure that you haven’t sunk to the depth of college hell and can’t make it back to the surface.

4. Watch YouTube or Netflix.

Shane Dawson, Alisha Marie, Shameless, Gossip Girl, etc. Whether you like watching YouTube or Netflix, it’s important that you take some time to be unproductive. Even though being productive is important, it’s also important to let your brain rest and not turn into a pile of mush from all of the studying you’ve been doing. Watching funny videos or simply enjoying the drama that comes with Gossip Girl, letting loose can definitely benefit you in the end before you decide to dive into your huge pile of homework.

5. Get active.

Working out can be a great way to relieve your stress. Whether you’re into kickboxing or running a mile. There are so many different ways that you can workout. Personally, I think that working out can be a great way for me to feel emotionally better. There’s just something about sweat dropping down my neck after running on a treadmill that makes me happy. Even if you’re initially working out to feel better mentally, you’re also getting in the daily exercise that is recommended for everyone. Taking thirty minutes out of your day to workout, play a sport, etc. can be very beneficial and I would highly recommend it even when you’re in a good mood.

Hopefully, you’ve taken some time to think about the tips that have been given and ways to apply them to your life. Remember, college isn’t supposed to be easy. College is meant to challenge you while you’re also trying to get a piece of paper just so you can get paid more. Education is important whether you might think it right now or not. Put a face mask on and watch the newest episode of The Bachelor. You got this ladies (and gentlemen)!