There was a time when I was always ahead of the game when it came to schoolwork. Then I graduated high school, and it was never the same again. Much like any other college student, I’m no stranger to staying up late to finish an assignment, essay, or project that I undoubtedly had weeks to work on. I’ve learned that procrastination is an addiction: the more you do it, the harder it is to stop.

The truth is, college is tough enough without the added stress that procrastinating on assignments can bring. The only way to combat anxiety over homework is (quite simply) to do your homework and do it early. However, when there’s two days left to finish an assignment and there’s no motivation to do it, it’s easier said than done.

The key is to plan out everything meticulously. Knowing what assignments are due two weeks down the road is the only way to prepare for two weeks down the road. If you know what’s coming, and start on it early enough, you can plan the necessary breaks to prevent the problem of overworking yourself.

No one is built to work for hours and hours on end. Eventually, we all need a break to de-stress. By staying on top of your work, you can afford to take a much-needed rest. Watching your favorite show, hanging out with friends, or even taking a nap are all beneficial to your mental health when you feel overwhelmed. There’s no need to feel guilty for relaxing when the situation demands it.

By starting on assignments early and not waiting for the 11th hour, the next time you find yourself physically unable to work on homework, you can consider how much time you have to spare and do an activity with that time that will calm you down. The only way to beat procrastination and its inevitable stress is to never begin procrastinating in the first place.