Talking to my friends, everyone is stressed. Everyone has mountains of homework that are in their mind, waiting to check them off and put them into the "done" pile. It's only been the first full week of classes and there is already so much pressure to be caught up. Thinking about how my last week and a half of classes went, I have a few ideas that would help all my fellow sophomores (and other students in other years) out.

1. There is no such thing as the "Sophomore Slump."

I heard this a lot towards the end of my first year and I was honestly scared, scared that it would be just like me to get into that slump and have a hard time getting out of it. But, as sophomore year kick-started, I realized that it doesn't exist. It doesn't exist because I say it doesn't exist. Everyday I keep myself busy, I keep myself from thinking that I might get into a slump. If you keep thinking that no such thing exists, then it won't happen to you. Plus, Sophomore Slump doesn't sound nearly as good as Senioritis.

2. Plan and Execute

Planning seriously helps. It really helps to see everything you have to do on one piece of paper. What I have been doing is that even though I write things down in my planner for when it is due, I use my Post-it notes to full effect. Every day, I write down a list of things for me to achieve and complete. In that way, it keeps me focused and keeps me from thinking too far ahead.

When we see how much work we have to do, we automatically begin to panic. We stress. Our hearts race. But if you break down how much work you have onto a separate piece of paper with only a few bullet points, it prevents you from stressing, getting anxious and panicking. Trust me, that's how I've been staying sane.

3. Give yourself time off.

One of the terrible things we can do to ourselves at this time of intense work is not give ourselves time to breath and take a break. We may be students, but we're human, too. We need time to relax, to stop thinking and perhaps concentrate on other peoples' problems. The weekend is the beginning of a new chapter and, while you have tons of work, make sure you go out. Lie in the sun, go out for lunch or just sit at Starbucks and people-watch for a bit. Give yourself that time to stop asking yourself questions.

4. Believe that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

In the end, you can plan and relax as much as you want, but if you do not have the positive mentality, you won't get anything done. I'm sorry, but you just won't get anywhere. College is challenging perhaps because it tests your ability to calm down, your ability to manage your stress, your ability to get things done in time. My uncle was always telling me how stressful college was for him because of the amount of work there is to be done. But believing in yourself is more helpful that you ever think it can be.

Don't give up on yourself. You can do it.