There reaches a point in the semester when you feel like days couldn’t be any more jam packed with things that you have to do. Work, internships, classes, homework, studying, grades, clubs/organizations, AND sleep- it’s a lot for anyone to handle. No matter how crazy you may feel, it’s important to remember that you aren’t the only one who feels the way you do. One of the most important lessons that I, personally, have learned in my 3 college semesters so far is to know when you need a break, and to know that (most importantly) needing a break does not make you weak.

When you start consistently losing sleep from stress, worry, and work, it’s time for a break. I know that the recommended 8 hours can feel impossible, but if you’re averaging 0-5, you need to take a break.

When you start constantly forgetting to eat, or saying that you don’t have time to eat, it’s time to take a break. Maybe you don’t eat breakfast, sure, but if you go the entire day and realize that you’ve forgotten to eat because you’ve been so busy- you need to take a break.

If all you ever think about is how busy you are, and you never have time to relax and not be going, going, going- it’s time to take a break.

Take a full day, a full weekend, and cancel all plans. No homework, no studying, no work, no internships, no going and doing and worrying and stressing. Take a full day or weekend to sleep, treat yourself, eat 2 or 3 full meals, and relax. Read a book, go for a walk, catch up on your favorite TV shows, anything.

A favorite quote of mine is, “you cannot pour from an empty cup”. If you’ve run yourself too thin, or burned yourself out from all of your work and worries, you can’t keep giving and doing. It’s hugely necessary to take a break to recharge, refill, and relax. Doing so does not make you weak- it makes you better.