Do not turn to alcohol as a stress reliever.

With the semester fast approaching its end, I’m sure you are all feeling the end-of-semester panic.

So much seems to be jam-packed into the last few weeks of the semester — papers, presentations and exams. This can leave college students feeling like they are about to crack under all the pressure.

Here are some of my tips for keeping your sanity at the end of the semester.

Do not turn to alcohol as a stress reliever. While it seems like a logical solution, having a drink or three to take the edge off might not turn out as well as you planned.

Sure, downing half a bottle of Ketel One and then heading to the bar to see your friends seems like a good idea, but a few Jager shots later, you find yourself waxing poetically on your Jordan Catalano to his roommate. Or deciding to call your ex-boyfriend and making an ass of yourself, then badgering the person you are currently seeing to admit that they are just not that into you in your 2 a.m. blacked-out belligerence.

Bad times. Alcohol is a no go on stress reduction.

Manage your time wisely. Figure out what it is you have to do and when it needs to be done. Most professors are a lot more understanding than you may think, and if you need to ask for an extension, make sure you have a legitimate reason and you may get it.

Set aside study time. Can’t miss “Lost?” Neither can I, but I look at my note cards during the commercial breaks.

Divide and conquer. Start gathering your research and presentation materials ahead of time. As a procrastinator, I try and rationalize my staying up all night to write a paper by telling myself I work better under pressure. This always seems to have a small success rate.

If you have all of your materials ready when you actually sit down to write the paper it is much easier. Split assignments up into small tasks — not only will you feel more productive, but also you’ll be more productive.

Take breaks. It’s not realistic to cram a ton of information inside your brain by studying non-stop for a few hours. Give your brain a break by checking your e-mail or fantasy football stats, taking a walk around the block or running a quick errand.

Also, keep everything you need around you. School supplies, course packets and textbooks being kept all in the same place saves you time and energy. Create a study environment that works for you. Some people need total silence while others need background noise.

Study buddy. Meet up with a friend for coffee and studying. You can take breaks together and catch up, but it’s much easier to actually get to work if someone else is too.

The end of the semester always seems to rush past in a blur, but if you plan accordingly and are realistic in your expectations of yourself, it can go much more smoothly than getting yourself all worked up in a frenzy about all the stuff you have to do.

Once it’s all over, go ahead and have that drink — you earned it. And no one let me take Jager shots ever again.

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