We are getting into the brunt of the first semester and the stresses of being back at school are starting to sink in. We sleep a little less to get that last page written or those last pages read, and soon we are waking up early to finish what we did not the night before. As these stresses begin to pile as the semester continues, we need to remember to take time to care for ourselves. Here is a list of some coping strategies to help you get through the semester:

1. Go see a movie.

I know that college budgets can be tight, but there are many options for some cheap entertainment. You could grab some friends for a Netflix movie viewing. Maybe you can head to RedBox to try out a new dollar rental. It is possible that your campus is showing a film or documentary that you have yet to see. No matter how you do it, just take those two hours out of your busy and stressful schedule, and watch something that can help you clear your head.

2. Color

We have all walked through the store and seen those adult coloring books. Next time you see one, flip through it and if you like the designs, maybe get it and a box of colored pencils. They may seem cheesy, but they can be relaxing, when all you have to focus on is staying in the lines of some weird picture and making it your own.

See some adult coloring pages here.

3. Go for a walk

A change of scenery is always nice. Sometimes the best thing to do is to put down the books and the laptop and just go for a nice long walk. Exercise in general is known for reducing stress. When you go outside and maybe listen to some music on your walk, just take in your surroundings and breathe in that fresh air.

4. Read for pleasure

Our syllabi are filled with books and articles we have to read, but maybe there is a time in your day where you could pick up something you actually want to read. You could even read a couple of pages before you go to bed. Or if you decide to go on that walk, you could bring a book a long and sit in a patch of grass and just read and relax.

5. Try doing something new

We all have our routines and sometimes it is good just to change it up a bit. I you usually walk everywhere, you could ride a bike around campus. If you normally eat inside, maybe you could eat outside one day. You could try picking up a new hobby like drawing or journaling.