Photo by Chaparral [Kendra], on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.

My planner is my best friend. I take it everywhere and record everything, in this way ensuring that my life goes according to plan. Unfortunately, even though my midterms are neatly labeled and color-coded, my planner can’t prepare me for everything. In the past two weeks, I’ve left my Wildcard in all sorts of pants and jacket pockets, left for class without my purse (while still somehow managing to remember my keys), run to the dining hall for ice cream minus those trusty keys (and, of course, sans cell phone to call for help.) There’s only one thing to blame it on… Welcome to midterm season.

Chances are you’ve felt the crunch. Trying to balance studying and extracurricular activities with a crazy social life and personal time can often feel like an impossible challenge—especially when you throw exams into the mix. Either you’re trying to figure out how to squeeze a 25th hour into the day, or you’ve already collapsed into a big pile of stress. No matter what your “crisis of the day” is, there are simple steps you can take right now to conquer stress and move in the direction of enjoying life with its papers and midterms.

Why are students so stressed out in the first place?

“It’s the first time when you’re really in charge of your schedule,” said Julie Morgenstern, New York Times bestselling author of Time Management from the Inside Out. Students are on their own, she explained, often with irregular schedules and without the family support that comes from living at home.

Debbie Mandel, author of Addicted to Stress, agrees. She identified several potentially stressful issues such as getting along with roommates, having a social life and searching for the perfect summer internship. With all these responsibilities, it’s not surprising that students become what Mandel calls a “stress addict.”

“I think young kids in general are over scheduled with extracurriculars by the time they are toddlers,” said Mandel. We are always wondering what’s “next on our to do list,” and yes, admit it–you even brag about how little sleep you got last night because of that lab report.

How do you get the big things done?

What’s the best way to deal with your stress and accomplish everything? Morgenstern has two powerful suggestions. First, utilize her “most helpful core strategy”: a time map. Fill out a gridded schedule of the week with everything you plan to do, from when you wake up to when you go to sleep.

“Block out time for everything that’s important,” said Morgenstern. “Plug in all of your regular committed commitments … [and] look at all the time that’s left.” Make a list of what you need to do during that open time, such as study, exercise and down time.

“Don’t end up without a plan,” advises Morgenstern. The schedule doesn’t have to be completely rigid, but you’ll “waste more time trying to figure out what to do if [you] don’t have a plan.”

Morgenstern’s second strategy for getting the big things done is WADE—Write it down, Add it up, Decide and Execute. Make a list of everything you need to do. Add up how much time each activity will take and be realistic. Then decide when you are going to do each thing. If you’re feeling too overwhelmed at this point, follow the four d’s: delete what you don’t have to do, delay things that can wait until after midterms, diminish the less important items (spend less time and effort on them), and delegate the rest (beg your roommate to vacuum before your parents come).

Finally: “Execute. Once you have a plan, you just hit the button and go,” said Morgenstern.

If you are good at diving into projects, this is a good plan, but what if it’s hard for you to get started? Break it down into manageable chunks, advises Morgenstern. She uses the example of writing a paper: first, set aside one hour just to brainstorm and research. Step two is to make an outline, step three to start the introduction and step four is to work on the main points. By doing your paper in chunks with breaks in between, you can eliminate the stress (and procrastination) that comes with doing it all at once.

To break or not to break?

Breaks are extremely beneficial to your productivity. Morgenstern recommends timing how long tasks take you and how long you can work without losing concentration. Then, work straight through that block, and save the Facebook checking for a break.

“Scientific studies have shown … when you are switching back and forth between activities, it takes your brain 4 times longer to register and process what it’s looking at,” said Morgenstern. So don’t multitask, unless you have an hour to write that 15 minute email.

Another important thing to keep in mind during breaks is to move around.

“[You can] change the way you feel instantly by getting up,” said David Humes, happiness coach and workshop facilitator. “Change your physiology to act like somebody who’s highly energized … and you’ll feel like that.”

In addition to taking breaks, it’s also extremely important to plan free time for yourself, according to Pam Dodd, principal of Clarity Consulting Group and co-author of The 25 Best Time Management Tools and Techniques.

“Don’t sell out on the fun things you want to do – that’s where the balance comes in,” said Dodd. She explained students are often dealing with a “Cinderella complex”: they think they have to get every little thing done before they can even think of “going to the ball.” The balance free time provides is invaluable, so make sure to squeeze it in. And what if someone asks you for a favor during your free time? “Stick to your guns,” said Dodd. In other words, free time is essential, so don’t give it up.

What can I do if I’m stressed right now?

Surprisingly, laugh.

“You can’t be negative and laughing at the same time,” said Mandel. Watch comedies, or just be silly. “It’s free medicine,” she claims.

Both Mandel and Humes are big proponents of breathing to reduce stress. Humes advocates focusing on your breathing without trying to control it, and Mandel recommends picturing your “happy place” and giving yourself a positive, calming message.

Mandel also emphasizes the power of reframing your thinking.

“The key to reframing is your creating a positive story about the situation,” said Mandel. If something goes wrong, instead of reacting, show compassion and understanding. It will make you feel better and keep your stress level down.

In the end, time management and reducing stress can greatly affect your quality of life and happiness. “Your time is pretty much what you have,” said Morgenstern. “Your time is your life so time management is life management.”