Much like life in general, college can be a stressful experience. There are classes (and parties) to attend, bills to (maybe) pay, and often, exams to take. Balancing your academic and social life can be particularly hectic during midterms and finals. Here are some things I think you need to know.

Cramming doesn’t (and won’t) work. According to a 2012 study published in the journal, Child Development, a research team from UCLA found that a good night’s sleep was more conducive to information retention than a caffeine-fueled all-nighter. If you’re still struggling with new information the night before an exam, your best bet is to sleep on what you already know. But what about the stuff you don’t?

Pace yourself. Because you’re not cramming anymore, you may need to relearn how to study. Is Chem II  harder for you than Comp II? Spend a half hour after class reviewing your notes, paying careful attention to concepts you don’t quite get. Then, tackle that reading or writing assignment after lunch but before your three-hour Netflix binge. 

Manage your time, and your expectations. If you don’t already keep a calendar or schedule, however informal, now’s the time to start. Laying out your month, week, or day can be an immediate stress reliever. You can’t possibly do it all, so why not decide up front what (and who) is in or out? In fact, I find the very act of budgeting my time feels like an accomplishment on its own. Pencil in time for attending class, studying, socializing and the ever-important “doing nothing.”  Remember: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, texts, phone calls, telegrams and Sportscenter will still be there whenever you’re done doing what you need to do.