The weather has turned cool, the scary movies are coming out in theaters by the dozens, and Arx Mortis is up and running. This means only one thing: midterms are here (thought I was going to say Halloween, huh?).

Where did this semester go?

It is bad enough I am responsible for an entire section of the paper each week, enrolled full-time, work at a law firm and now I have to study for midterms? I realize I’m whining, but I am just so stressed out all the time.

Midterms are the time I stress the most. This semester will be the worst yet. Not only will I be putting my nose in a book from now until next week, I will be getting everything together for graduation, applying for possible spring internships, freelancing for websites, budgeting my slowly-dwindling supply of money and trying to plan some gifts for Christmas.

I do have a foolproof method of de-stressing each week, however. Every Sunday evening — which is the only time I am free — I sit in front of my TV with a cup of coffee and watch my shows I’ve missed during the week. I take this time to let my scattered brain settle and mellow out. “Doctor Who,” “Wilfred” and “Adventure Time” are the best therapists out there.

Why do I make this point? Stress management is crucial for college students — actually everyone — to master early in life. The college experience is all about learning life skills, and this is a biggie.

I know how I can be when I don’t allow myself the time to de-stress. I become irritable, forgetful and anxious.

There is no telling what it is doing to my health; when I am stressed, I lose sleep and eat the greasiest, most artery-clogging fast food available.

My looks suffer, too. My skin breaks out, my hair won’t fix right and I often bite my nails to the quick. It is almost a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type of transformation.

There are moments where I feel the need to chill out by having a beer or the occasional cigarette. This can become a slippery slope for most people, which is why I stay true to my Sunday routine as my main source of stress management.  

My word to you, lovely readers, is to find a routine, activity or hobby that calms you down, chills you out and cheers you up.

Some people exercise, some people paint and those people make me look bad, but I digress. Everyone can get stressed. Some people work better under it.

However, staying stressed is not healthy. Take the time to unwind and see how much better your life can become.