For most, it would seem that having an Odyssey deadline (an additional deadline on top of all the other assignments, finals, and craziness going on during this time of year) would be a major stressor. However, somehow I am realizing it is the opposite.

Right now, my mind is basically fried from studying for hours on end with small breaks only for eating and YouTube searches for good music to study to. It's almost 2 AM and my article is already late. Extremely late. But this is the last task I have told myself I will complete tonight. This is different from studying or fulfilling other deadlines. When I hit submit, there is no grade awaiting me--no "wrong answers". It's my own time to create my own work without worrying about a grade or discouraging feedback. I can write about what I want and even though the only thing I can think about right now is my own stress, I'm allowed to write about that. There's no rules here.

That's the beautiful thing about having "me time". It is so essential in all our lives but when things get crazy, like right now for most of us college students, we simply don't find time for it. For me, I'm doing my best to wake up earlier to have some additional morning "me time" and ending my nights with "me time" because if I go to bed immediately after studying, I will lie in bed thinking about everything I didn't study or whether or not I remember what I just studied.

Stress takes over the mind and it proceeds to take over the body as well. This has become very obvious as I haven't worked out for weeks even though working out used to be my "me time". My only snacks in the dorm are kit-kats, kettle corn, and nutter-butters. Add on top of that about 10 Starbucks DoubleShot Espressos. My body is starting to take the toll.

Finals season is hard mentally, emotionally (in preparation of going home), and physically but we have to remember to take care of ourselves. Obviously, I'm far from perfect and have to remind myself this simple goal (taking care of myself) every time the stress piles up, but hopefully with time, we will be able to remember that the best way to succeed and survive through finals season is by ensuring we remember to put aside time for ourselves.

And with that, I wish all the college and high school students taking finals soon the best of luck!