Stress is extremely common for college students with large work loads and many deadlines to meet. With midterms upon us, there are many techniques we can use to minimize our stress. First, you must identify what is causing you to feel stressed. Once you know what’s causing the problem, you can come up with strategies to fix it. With your causing agent in mind, look for ways to reduce your anxiety. There are a variety of ways to do this, and everyone will react better to some techniques more than others. Ideas for reducing your stress include: managing your time by making a schedule, prioritizing tasks with check-lists, and avoiding procrastination by sticking to a schedule. Let go of the things you cannot change. Don’t dwell on things you don’t have control over. If you need to, ask for help. Your friends and/or family could help you in stressful situations by assisting you in getting tasks done or even by just talking you through it. If these techniques don’t prevent you from becoming stressed, you should try to discover what helps you to relax in stressful times. For many people, doing things you enjoy like listening to music, exercising, or hanging out with your friends and family can be helpful. Getting enough sleep (even on a busy schedule) is also important to feel more relaxed. Keep in mind that occasional stress is not a bad thing—it speeds up your heart and can give you a boost in energy! Ongoing stress does have consequences. These can include headaches, upset stomach, back pain, trouble sleeping, weakened immune system, and can make you feel crabby, tense, or depressed. If necessary, talking to a professional is always a great way to find relief. Boynton’s Mental Health Clinic offers counseling by appointment. Information about the clinic and appointments can be found at http://www.bhs.umn.edu/east-bank-clinic/mental-health-services.htm.