It’s October, and while we’d like to think that means crisp air, days spent carving jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin spice lattes galore, the reality is, with the changing of the trees, October brings new stress and pressure to students’ already busy lives.

It’s an overwhelming time. September’s excitement of a fresh start has faded away, and students have fallen into their routines. School. Homework. Standardized tests. It’s a life dictated by our hopes and fears, every hour full as clubs, schoolwork, sports, jobs, social lives and (occasionally) sleep struggle to coexist.

College application deadlines are quickly approaching, ACT tests are looming and GPAs are dropping as students’ lives fill to the brim.
This is your reminder to breathe.

Yes, college, tests and grades are important. But none of that is more important than taking care of yourself. Sometimes it’s worth it to put the textbooks away and go to sleep before 2 a.m. Take a day for yourself; grab lunch with your friends.

Carve that jack-o-lantern. Drink that pumpkin spice latte. Don’t let stress stop you from enjoying life.

Above all, remember you are more important than a college acceptance letter or a .1 GPA difference.

Don’t get us wrong, it’s important to keep up with your schoolwork and think about your future. But when your stress reaches the point that it’s holding you back, it’s time to think about putting yourself first.

Dreams of the future can be so intoxicating we forget to find beauty in the present. Don’t wait until the day your ACT results come in the mail to be happy. Dressing up as a zombie can be fun on Halloween, but don’t let stress turn you into one for all of October.