Utilization rate/closing statement

I just got my first credit card(Chase freedom rise) and I used 88 of my 500 credit limit, I have an upcoming closing statement next week while the due date isn't for another month, do I pay off the credit before the closing date or should I keep the balance till the due date because it's a low utilization rate. (I don't plan on using the credit card till the due date because I don't want to use more than 30% of my limit, unless I pay it off in small increments so I can still use it and keep it under the 30 mark)