It's no secret that finals are a very stressful time for every college student, and even more so in the fall as they encroach on the month of December and trying to have holiday cheer. We really only get about one month full of Christmas spirit, half of which gets taken up by pulling all-nighters and trying to study the past 16 weeks worth of what you learned into one test, project or paper. For many students who have been working hard all semester, their letter grade will remain the same no matter how they perform on the final, so having to wait two weeks to take a seemingly insignificant test before going home to be with their loved ones can feel like torture.

Here is my personal guide for some things you can do this finals season to keep you from missing out on the charm of the holidays.

1. Start each day with a Christmas song

My most played are as follows:

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Sam Smith

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree by Miley Cyrus

Christmas Pop ! Playlist

2. Also, start the day with some holiday flavored coffee

International Delight Peppermint Mocha coffee creamer is the best.

3. Send out your season's greeting cards

It's fun to include pictures of your pets, children, accomplishments, and adventures from the past year of your life and sort of an old-fashioned way of keeping up with people. Dropping envelopes in the mailbox going to loved ones in all different places warms my heart a little on the inside. If it brightens your day to receive a Christmas card in the mail and see what your friends and family have been up to for the past year, then it will brighten their day just as much to see yours too!

4. Make your wish-list for Santa

Because shopping earlier in the season is so much more pleasant, you already know your family members are going to be asking you what you want during finals. You're going to have no clue what to tell them because your brain is so bogged down with studying, so go ahead and make that list!

5. Start buying gifts for your loved ones

You don't want to be waiting in those long lines with last-minute shoppers. Online shopping is your best friend when trying to be a good gift giver during finals season.

6. Brighten up your workout

The winter truly is a great time to get started on a fitness routine because of the break from school. During finals, a workout break will help you clear your mind and regain some focus. Grab a friend and take a walk through a neighborhood with Christmas lights, go ice-skating or have a snowball fight for your workout!

7. Plan a trip

Guilty because a majority of my finals procrastination is spent on Delta.com and TicketMaster looking at plane and concert tickets . . . but this can serve as motivation to make it through finals as well by giving yourself something to work towards and look forward to. If you can't plan a trip, get started on your holiday to-do list of all the seasonal traditions to do with your friends and family in the month off from school.

8. Take care of business

There may be some things you need to wrap up in your college town before leaving for a month such as; making sure you paid rent for the next month or picking up those ski clothes for the trip you're about to go on . . . get these taken care of so you won't have to worry about them while you're taking your tests. There are also likely some things to do at home while you're on break, like getting your teeth cleaned or making an appointment to do your taxes . . . it's also a good idea to line these up in advance because.

9. Enjoy all of the leftover money on your dining card

If you're anything like me and never eat on campus, the last week of every semester is spent asking your friends to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with you so that you can use up all of the dining dollars the University forces you to buy.

10. Actually study

I think more of finals week is spent stressing, complaining and procrastinating than actually studying. Sometimes you're going to have to make a 97 on the final to get the grade you want in a class and you may think that's not even worth a try, but let me tell you it is! The whole reason you are at school to get an education and in the grand scheme of things, finals are only ONE WEEK of your life. Even though it isn't fun in the moment; every time that I have gone the extra mile, put my phone away and buckled down studying for a final I have always been glad that I did. In my four years, I haven't heard anyone say "Wow I really wish I studied less for that test."

11. Get an Advent calendar

Counting down is a great way to get you excited for Christmas as well as reward yourself with a sweet treat after a long day of studying.

Enjoy getting yourself into the holiday spirit and good luck on finals!