As it gets to be that time of the semester, I see myself and others around me getting more and more stressed by the day, swamped with schoolwork of all types. However, even if you have a lot to do, it's always important to find a way to keep yourself sane.

Throughout high school I found some ways that help keep me from being too stressed:

1. Invest in an adult coloring book.

Yes, those intricate mandalas you've been seeing lined on the shelves of nearly every grocery store you go to are actually useful. Buy one of those, grab some colored pencils or gel pens, and get coloring.

2. Knitting.

Acting like a grandma sometimes really does give you the inner peace with life that grandmothers tend to have. I learned how to knit in fifth grade, and now I find it a wonderful pastime that helps put stress into knits and purls. You might even get something out of it that you can give your mother this Christmas.

3. Stress-eating . . . but only a little.

This is something that I've never personally tried, but I know several people who turn to baking and cooking as a resort to help channel their stress. This is really helpful because it gives you something to focus on besides whatever is stressing you out, and at the end of it, you can engage in the glorious act of stress-eating your stress-busting creations.

4. Make some time to talk to your friends.

By this, I don't mean the casual hellos you say to your friends as you're walking to class, or the quick conversation you engage in as you're grabbing food at the dining hall. Take some time to actually talk to your friends, and engage in that deep conversation you've been meaning to have for a few weeks. Sometimes talking through your stress can actually help, and through it you'll come to good insight for yourself, or get good insight from those who matter most to you.

5. Journaling

Personally, I find journaling to be one of the most effective ways to really figure out what is bothering me. The negative feelings sometimes multiply with other things going on in life. Being able to write things down makes it so your problems.

And there are many more. These are just the ones that help me out the most, and I hope you find these to be helpful as you enter the most stressful part of the semester.