In the past week, I've heard a lot of questions and concerns from freshmen worried about dead week, so I here are a few answers to your questions, as well as some advice to help you make it through the week.

The main question I've heard from both freshmen and sophomores is "What is dead week?" Typically, dead week is the week before finals, when many schools don't have class. I can understand how Creighton students might find this a bit confusing, considering we still have a full schedule during this week.

However, what you may not know is that if you're required to attend a final exam for your class, your professor can't assign anything worth 20 percent of your grade or more during this week. That should give you at least some peace of mind.

Another thing that people have expressed concern about is how to deal with all the stress of finals. What classes should you study for, and which ones should you prioritize?

I know the obvious answer to this would be to study as best you can for each class, but I tend to go about this a different way. You don't want to overload yourself with stress, or else your grades could suffer.

The best way I've found to study for finals is to prioritize classes in which you have lower grades, as well as classes specific to your major or minor. For example, as a biology major, I will be spending most of my time studying for my organic chemistry exam, and a little less time studying for ethics. This way, I can ensure that my resume and math/science GPA don't suffer.

Also, don't worry about things you can't change. This will just add unnecessary stress to an already stressful time. Don't worry about past grades that can't be changed. Worry only about what can be prepared for.

Finally, try not to overload yourself. Take study breaks, get a good night's sleep, and don't forget to eat. Your physical and mental health are more important than your grades, despite what you may think. Soon, finals will be over, and you'll want to be healthy when you spend the holidays with your family.