Behold, the most hated week of every semester is soon to be upon us: finals week.

‘Tis the season for pulling all-nighters, over-caffeinating with coffee to stay awake and stressing about finals.

How do you relieve the stress associated with finals week? Here are several strategies to help minimize the stress from this awful week.

• Make a finals to-do list and check it off as you go.

I usually do this by making a list on my phone with all the assignments I have to do and the due date for each of them. This helps me prioritize what is most time-imperative and what can wait for a few days. This also helps me plan when I’m going to work on certain assignments.

• Take breaks as needed.

Whenever I study for a test or work on an assignment for a long amount of time, I get so exhausted and cease to keep my focus. Everyone needs breaks at some points. It can something as simple as taking five minutes to yourself and going on a walk or singing along to your favorite song. Personally, I turn on some rap music and bust rhymes when I need a break.

• Prioritize sleep.

As someone who has crammed for a final by doing an all-nighter, I can say when I took it that I felt like I was going to die. I had headaches all day. The day after my final, my body didn’t react well to the unrest. All-nighters take a toll on your body. If you are going to do an all-nighter, please catch up on your sleep afterwards. Your body needs sleep to recharge your energy levels and to repair ailments in the body.

• Seek help from your professors or TAs.

Ask your professors or TAs what is going to be on the final. Last fall, I took a political science class and I asked my professor what was going to be on the final. They are mostly happy to help you succeed and don’t mind telling you what is on the final (or at least give you a few clues). With this strategy, I was able to know exactly what I should be studying.

• Don’t lose faith or be discouraged.

Obviously, you are in college for a reason. Maybe you are the first person in your family to go to college and you want to make your parents proud by earning your degree. Maybe it is to earn more money in a future career in your field of study. Perhaps, it is a personal reason that fuels you to come to college and make something of yourself. Whatever it is, don’t lose sight of why you came to college. It is your inspiration.

With these tips, maybe Finals Week doesn’t have to be so bad.

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