With finals around the corner and presentations and projects due in a few weeks, don’t forget to relax. These past two weeks have been killer. I have four presentations in one week coming up, and I just want to remind everyone, including myself, to relax. Prioritizing your biggest projects first is key; however, having a bit of “me time” is also a priority.

These past few weeks my mental health has been at an all-time low for this whole school year, nothing serious, but I am handling it.

Professors have been loading everyone down with group projects, presentations and papers that all happen to be due during the same week, along with assignments for other classes. I get it, the school year is almost over so we have to get bombarded with tons of assignments. I just wish it wasn’t at the expense of my sanity.

This academic year has been my hardest yet, and I can clearly tell due to all my restless nights trying to sleep and the hours of crying. On the other hand, it’s days like these that show me how strong I am, and that I should keep going even if I feel like giving up.

If you find yourself in the same situation as mine, just know that your mental health is just as important, if not more, than these assignments. Sometimes you just need to cry and take a break from the tons of assignments that are due. I have those days more often than some people would admit. Heck, sometimes I cry in public because it helps me relieve stress. Some people prefer sleeping to better their mental health. If that works for you, go for it. We could all use more sleep in college. Others prefer to clean when they are stressed, which is something I wish I did when I feel stressed.

There are numerous ways people can relieve stress and make themselves feel better in order to make it through the day. Whatever it is that you do, just know that I am happy that you are taking care of yourself, because if you don’t no one else will.

Whenever you find yourself overwhelmed with assignments, just remember to take at least 30 minutes to yourself every couple of hours to recover and help maintain your sanity. If you ever need someone to talk to other than a friend, there is always the Counseling Clinic at Eastern that would be more than willing to help you out. These next few weeks might be rough, but in the end it will all be worth it.

Kate Rehwinkel is a junior management major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or at  kerehwinkel@eiu.edu.