Dr. D.,

I need someone to hear me. I am f**king freaking out. I have three exams and two papers due this week. I tried studying last week but was so swamped with just keeping up with everything I do in a normal week. I didn't get much done this weekend because of the game — I know, my bad — but now I'm freaking out about this. I don't like feeling like this. Please get back to me ASAP.

Dear ASAP,

I hear you! No, I mean I REALLY hear you! This is the time during the semester when all you need do is put your ear close to Spartan soil and you not only hear the collective sighs of stress, but you can feel them.

Is it real? You bet (even though some faculty and staff don't want to recognize that it could be this way for students).

Is there anything you can do about it? Yeah, we can talk about a few things you can do to control your "freak."

On a more macro level, I think it is high time we (the university) seriously start talking about writing in a fall semester break so that we all can take a breath.

Stress is the result of the way we perceive and act on how our lives look at this moment. A book title that I have quoted here before, "The Situation is Hopeless, but Not Serious," says it all. Let's look at what you need to do.

First let's normalize this "freaking" thing. This year 77 percent of MSU students reported being stressed. Of those, 33 percent reported their stress was so intense that it impacted their academics. Another 35 percent reported that at least once a month they "felt overwhelmed at what they had to do," and just as many reported feeling "exhausted mentally by all they had to do" on a monthly basis. I could go on, but you get the picture.

The environment you have chosen to come into is not always conducive to living life without stress, and frankly it is not supposed to be stress-free. Stress can be an ally, but most people like to look at it like it's their goofy cousin Earl who no one takes seriously, always comes to visit at the very worst time and then no one knows what to do with him.

Next, let's prioritize. This doesn't always mean don't go to the football game (well, in the case of the Spartans...naw, I won't go there). You need to allow yourself to enjoy life even when feeling stressed. Schedule your day in blocks so as to break up the work and studying. This way it seems like you have accomplished things and life doesn't feel so overwhelming. Build in a few breaks to laugh, move around, talk to a friend, run in circles, shop, listen to music...whatever works for you.

Don't let studying interfere with your eating, exercise or sleeping patterns. Your daily needs should remain a priority. Put everything else on a to-do list and be specific and realistic. Understand what things you can control and what you can't, and then focus your efforts on what's important to you.

Know what time of day studying works for you and know how much sleep you need. For some students, staying up until 3 a.m. and sleeping until noon the next day works best. For others, going to bed by 10 p.m. and waking up at 6 a.m. is best. Some folks need eight hours of sleep while others do well on six. Make sure that however much sleep you need, you get. It really sucks falling asleep during exams.

It is important to know stress can sometimes lead to depression, anxiety, fatigue and can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and the flu. Know your body and know the signs and symptoms of the aforementioned conditions in order to avoid them. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you don't understand what you're studying, talk to someone in your class, a tutor, a teaching assistant or the professor. Talk to a friend or your parents if you need to just talk about what you're feeling. If you are feeling really overwhelmed, there are people who are willing to listen. Contact the MSU Counseling Center at (517) 355-8270.

All in all, keep in mind what Bella Karolyi said to Kerri Strug before that memorable final vault in the 1996 Olympics: "Listen to me...You can do it...You can do it." As corny as it was, the advice is sound. You can do it!

Peace love dove!

Dr. D.

Dennis Martell, Ph.D., is a coordinator of Olin Health Education and writes a weekly health column. Submit questions to msandu@statenews.com.