Mid November, the time of year when the weather is getting colder and snow is starting to stick. The time of year when all you want to do is lay in bed cuddled up with hot chocolate, and binge watch Christmas movies. But if you’re a college senior then you know what December really means...FINALS SZN! So what is know as “the most wonderful time of the year” according to Andy Williams, is also known as “the most stressful time of the year” to us students.

But no matter how many all-nighters are ahead in your future there are 10 major things that can help you feel prepared and relaxed through it all:

1)SLEEP

As students we know that sleep can seem overrated when it comes to studying for finals. For some crazy reason we would rather stay up all night into the next day jamming information into our brains the night before tests. And as much as that seems to be the best idea, it is the farthest from. Getting a good night’s sleep is necessary for your body and brain to recover and set up for the next day’s challenges. It has many health benefits that are guaranteed to help you score higher on your tests than cram and dumping does. Sleep helps: improve your memory, sharpens your attention, lower stress and much more.

2)EAT

Eating, specifically during breakfast and before tests, is another important yet overlooked part of helping you succeed during finals. Food is fuel for the body; it gives you energy that is constantly used throughout the day. By skipping breakfast before tests you are doing your body and grades more harm than good. Breakfast doesn’t need to be a long process, just grab something quick and easy like: cereal bars, bananas, apples, and more. Quick and easy is the way to go

3)Coffee, it’s better for you than you think

Often looked down on as being a bad thing, coffee too has many health benefits that can benefit your studying and test taking. Because coffee is a caffeinated drink, it is looked down on, but meanwhile it contains many essential nutrients for your body like some vitamin B’s and Potassium. Along with giving your body nutrients, a cup of coffee can make you happier and improve your energy levels. Of course taking in large amounts of coffee is not beneficial, but having a cup here or there can actually help you. So sit down and enjoy a cup!

4)Always have snacks!

Snacks are a must, especially during finals season. They are the thing that keeps me going while I spend long hours in the library and are too glued to get up to go to the dining hall for a real meal. Of course snacks should not replace your main meals, but they can be a helpful supplement while you finish up reviewing your last chapter for the night. Like breakfast the smaller and easy to carry around the snack is, the better.

5)Stay organized

If you’re a person like me then you have to write everything on your to do list down and when things are due or else you will be prone to forget things. Even if you’re a person who puts things in your online or iPhone calendars, there is a way that you are reminding yourself of deadlines and due dates. Neglecting to keep up with writing these things down can quickly lead to late assignments or missed homework, which is the last thing anyone needs during finals. So keep up the routine of writing things down and checking them off however you wish to do so.

6)Know your grades

Knowing where you stand, grade wise and with the number of assignments still due is crucial going into finals week. It can help you avoid any final grades you may be unhappy with at the end of the semester. By knowing your current standing in the class, you can determine what grades you may need on upcoming assignments to reach the 4.0 GPA.

7)Take Breaks

Breaks, as much as studying, can be crucial during the study process. Taking a minute or two to yourself allows your brain to regroup and you to keep your sanity after looking at text and numbers for a long period of time. The only thing with breaks is that they can lead to procrastination, so my recommendation would be timing them out: watch a 30 minute show or take a 20 minute nap then get back to it!

8)Do something you love

During your breaks, doing something you love or enjoy can increase your happiness, which studying so often takes away. Exercising, playing a sport you are into, listening to music and others can all be good outlets during break time and boost your mood as you go back into the dreaded study mode.

9)Be prepared

Preparation is every student’s key to success. You prepare for exams, so why not prepare for you days. Packing your bag the night before assures that you wont run out of pens, pencils, notebook paper, etc. Even planning what sweatpants and comfy hoody you want to wear can save you a few minutes in the morning, to get in that extra beauty sleep.

10)Long Showers

And last, but definitely not least, long hot showers at the end of a long days work and studying can clear your mind and body in preparation for the next day. Warm showers help your body distress, help the muscles relax, and overall help you relax. So take a shower at the end of your night and hop into bed for some much needed sleep. I promise you your brain and grades will thank you when term grades come out.