I want to start out by saying that like most writers for Odyssey, I am a full-time student in college, a part-time worker, and highly involved on campus. This is also my freshman year, so learning to juggle all of these things and still manage to succeed has been quite the balancing act. At times I can not tell you what time of day it is, or what my middle name is! I am sure many college students can relate. And there are times where it's like, "Man I really have it together!" until a pop quiz happens in my next class.

In this ongoing roller coaster that we call "college life," there is one thing that I have come to realize is just as important, if not more important than studying hard for that next big test, and that is to take a moment for yourself and just breathe. Know that no matter what is still on your endless to-do list, it can wait.

I think this is something that I realized after my first semester had ended and I had survived. Even though my first semester had not gone as smoothly as I had hoped it was still not bad overall. But, I still set out to make this semester better then the last. At the same time, my hours at work got extended a little and, while it wasn't much, it had a major impact. I also took on more responsibility which only made life more hectic. To top all of that off, I decided to take more credits and figured out that I am somehow more productive in the library or office at school than I am at home when it comes to getting homework done. So that requires me to drive back to school after work just to get everything done. I'm glad I figured that out about myself because it has become a very effective strategy.

Between trying to balance all of this and still sleeping and staying sane, I have realized that the only way I can find to push on is to step back when I feel the most pressure and just breathe. You can do this by taking a walk around campus, or getting a Coke just as a refresher to keep you going. I have also learned that it's not bad to reward yourself if you have had an exceptionally hard week and successfully completed it all despite all last minute obstacles that tried to stop you! I find it exceptionally rewarding to treat myself to a nice large sugary coffee at the end of the week if this has been the case.

Basically, what I am saying is to make sure that you don't forget about yourself when you are the most stressed and under the most pressure. I promise it will make it easier to continue up this seemingly endless mountain of life. But, always remember that once you reach the top you will look back on this time in your life and remember that it was all worth it and you will be glad that you pushed through and made it!