Ok, everyone. It’s finals season. It’s that time of the year standing directly between us and winter break. I know how badly we want it. I can basically taste the hot cocoa in my bed at home already.

As a junior getting ready to end her fall term in college, I have already gone through six finals weeks. I like to think I’ve done it enough times to where I can appropriately give advice on what to do and what not to do when it comes to this time of the year. All of these tips have been personally learned by yours truly, and I hope they leave some kind of lasting impression on you. Best of luck to you all, let’s finish the term strong!

DO: organize yourself

If you’re like me at all, you’re a huge procrastinator. I kind of get away with this during the term sometimes, although I don’t recommend it then either. Contrary to popular belief, I like to sleep. However, during finals week, it is crucial to plan ahead because you will most likely have more than one exam or more than one paper due on the same day. Schedule your time accordingly because you’ll want to give each class as much thought and effort as you possibly can.

DO NOT: go out the weekend before finals week

Listen, I know it’s incredibly tempting to get those last few parties in with your friends before you all go home for a month, but I guarantee this decision will be laced with regret. Plus, you probably won’t even have fun because you’ll just be thinking about the work you have to go back to the next day. I promise you’re going to want to take those extra few nights to sleep, anyway.

DO: set aside time for self-care

Finals week doesn’t have to be as stressful as it is if you can set aside at least an hour every day to do something that relaxes you. Watch that episode of Stranger Things, read that chapter of your favorite book, take that power nap, or put that face mask on for a second. I know this week feels like constant pressure to grind 24/7, but you have to prioritize your own mental health to get better grades on tests.

DO NOT: allow yourself to get distracted

Literally, leave your phone in another room. Don’t open Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, BuzzFeed, YouTube, or any other addicting and time-consuming website. Maybe give yourself five minutes every hour to check in with the rest of the world, but don’t waste your time. You’re going to regret the hours you spent scrolling through your various newsfeeds, when you could have learned a couple extra terms for your exam.

DO: sleep

You have to. You are not exempt from closing your eyes and catching some Z’s during finals week because you think you need to study more. Your body will love you, and studying will feel so much easier when you can keep your eyes open. Your mental sanity will be much more in check, and you’ll be able to actually function throughout the rest of the week.

DO NOT: spread yourself too thin

When it truly comes down to it, finals are important, but you are more important. Do what you can each day, and remember that you are still smart and valued if someone else does three points better on the final than you do. Finals week is a week where you are not only tested in school, but you are also tested mentally. If you can recognize that you are still going to be successful without a 5.00 GPA, you will feel much more at peace with your life during this time.

Finals week is a rough week, and we all know it. By keeping yourself accountable for your work and by looking out for your friends as well, we will be able to push all the way to the end of the term. May we all get A’s in our classes and a lovely winter break full of relaxation.