Ah, it’s that time of year again. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and finals are making you want to scream. It’s a part of college that will truly test you and your endurance. It can be the most bittersweet of times; you know that summer break is just around the corner, but as Joey Tribbiani from "Friends" would say, “Really good, really good. Yeah, I should be ready to kill myself any day now.” Tensions are running as high as can be and all the blood, sweat and tears that you have been trying to prevent all semester are coming in a rush as you spend hours upon hours staring at a computer or re-reading the same chapter for the tenth time in a row.

But how does one survive the dreaded finals week? What can we do to try and come away as safely, with the least amount of mental breakdowns as possible? Here are five simple tips to help you overcome crippling anxiety and stress that makes you want to drop out:

• Take that break you so desperately want.
• Don’t partake in typical “stress-relief” that college students tend to use.
• Prioritize.
• Exercise.
• Start early.

As we continue to cram as much information as humanely possible we sometimes forget that our brains actually do need rest. Our eyes are not meant to focus for so long, nor can our brain sufficiently store the information in long-term memory if we are trying to push too much into working memory. Take the break that you want, but in reality need. Your brain will thank you, and you will be amazed at how much you can accomplish when you come back.

Let us take a moment to be honest. Who hasn’t wanted to throw back a quick shot while cramming at 2 a.m. even if you don’t drink? Many college students like to go out the weekend before finals in order to “let off steam". Trust me, you will only feel more tired and want to study even less. Take the break you need and relieve some stress by having a movie marathon with friends!

Know which finals you have coming first and which ones will cause you the most problems. Plan how much time you will study and prepare for each exam. You may feel like you are wasting time planning to study instead of studying, but with a good, clear plan you are going to feel less overwhelmed and ready to get cracking on those books.

Another waste of time. Right? Wrong! Exercising is great for stress relief and releases the neurotransmitter dopamine into the body’s system. Dopamine, being the “happy” chemical will help your body to relieve stress and help to elevate your mood in one of the most stressful times of the year.

I don’t mean start two days before the exam. Start at the beginning of the semester. It may seem like the semester will never end and you may want to relax in the middle. But the Finals Week you will definitely thank Beginning of Semester you if you remember to put the time and effort in to keep a high grade all year.