Finals season is coming, and for many students, their first one. Everyone is starting to feel the pressure of all the papers, presentations, and exams. It's hectic and chaotic, and in the winter semester, can ruin the fun of the holiday season. These are a few things I try to remember in order to make it through the week with some shred of sanity.

5) Grades are not everything

I was always someone who struggled to differentiate self-worth from grades. I feel most people are. However, sometimes when the weight of finals feels too immense, I have to remind myself that my GPA and my value as a person are different. No, that doesn't mean grades aren't important, but they don't need to be life-shattering. When you graduate, it won't matter if you got a bad grade on that one exam. It will matter if you didn't grow in knowledge and in self from the class.

4) Self-care is worth the time and effort

I don't really feel like I need to say much more on this. Treat yourself to something, even something little. Be it a long, hot shower, a quick break to play your favorite game, or a new color of nail polish to feel brand-spanking-new and fancy. Mental health upkeep is more important than ever during finals. A bad attitude won't be the key to good end of the semester.

3) Don't forget about sleep

Sometimes a good night's sleep can help you prepare for an exam more than last minute cramming. If you're too sleep deprived, it won't matter if you knew what you were doing, because you couldn't think straight during your exam! So make sure you keep a steady sleep schedule so you can keep everything else steady.

2) Do your best to stay healthy

Making healthy eating choices is really important when you're stressed out. That junk food you crave may sound good, but it's probably not too good for your brain. You don't need to cut those guilty pleasures out of your life entirely (heck, I wrote this with a piece of nutella toast), but it'll sure help you feel good all week long. If you like chips and guac, you're in luck--avocados are one of the many foods that are good for your brain, along with blueberries, dark chocolate, walnuts, and celery. Not such bad study snacks at all!!

1) Keep active, too

It's easy for me to say this, because my exercise of choice is rock climbing, which is mostly just fun, and therefore definitely a necessary and helpful break from paper after paper. Exercise boosts your endorphins, and everyone could do with an extra dose of happiness during finals season. As Elle Woods taught us, exercise gives you endorphins, and happy people just don't shoot their husbands! Or, you know, their roommates.