Finals are coming up for a lot of people if they're not already here, and I understand that this is the most stressful time of a student's semester. Between the endless hours of studying and numerous cups of coffee, it's easy to forget about the most important subject: yourself. Here are some tips on how to practice self-care during finals.

1. Breathe

It's easy to forget to breathe during this stressful time. It's very okay to step out of class or leave the library and go for a brief walk if you feel overwhelmed or frazzled. If you burn yourself out, your studying/learning will be ineffective.

2. Eat

I know from personal experience, it's easy to get caught up in something and forget to take a break. Whether it's binging TV shows or cramming for thät big exam, always take a break to eat. That doesn't mean you have to go sit with your friends for lunch for an hour, but at least get some food to bring back.

3. Sleep

It might be tempting to pull all-nighters, don't. Sleep deprivation will not only affect your concentration and memory but it'll also mess with your immune system as well. Even if sleep for you means an hour nap every once in a while, that's better than nothing.

4. Take a Break

Feel free to take a break every couple hours or so. It'll help break up the monotony of doing the same thing on end. The break can be as much as watching a movie or as little as coloring a page from a coloring book or going on a walk around campus.

5. Shut Off Your Brain

Sometimes you need to just shut your brain off for a bit. My favorite way to do this is through meditation. You can meditate independently, take a yoga class, or do a guided meditation (which can be found online).

6. Believe In Yourself

Don't stress so much about individual grades. Think about how much work you put into finals and the semester in general and just know in your heart you did your best.