By Amanda Valentovic
Staff Writer

The last few weeks of the semester are finally here, and with that comes final papers, projects and a lot of stress. While it’s important to stay on top of your schedule and everything you have to do before you can recycle your notebooks, it is also important to relax. Here are a few ways to loosen up before the end of the year.

Enjoy the Weather

It’s finally warm and sunny so spend some time outside! Not being cooped up inside with the heat blasting and being able to go out and enjoy spring weather will put anyone in a good mood. Bring a blanket outside and enjoy the sunshine, even if you are doing homework.

Beach Day

The ocean might still be too cold for swimming, but a day on the sand can still be fun. Plan a day with a group of friends and head to Jones Beach. It’s close enough that you can be there and back in a day and even do something else, but can still be a fun field trip if you want a change of scenery. A beach trip can also be a fun way to celebrate the end of the year, so another option is waiting until all of your finals are over!

Board Games

Playing board games might sound boring, but if you get a big group of people together and turn it into a tournament, it will be anything but. Classic choices like card games and Monopoly are always fun, but so are newer games like Cards Against Humanity. A few hours playing a game might clear your head and give you a few laughs to get you through to the end of the year.

     There are so many ways to reduce your stress levels when there is a lot going on at the end of the year. Find what works best for you, take a deep breath, and remember that summer is just around the corner.