By Amanda Valentovic 
ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR

It’s the last week of classes and finals are rapidly approaching, which means you probably have papers to write, projects to finish and tests to study for. Don’t worry – you’ll be heading home for the holidays soon, but first you have to survive the end of the semester. Here are some tips to help you make it through with as little stress as possible.

Stay organized.

It can be hard to keep track of everything you have going on so try to make a list of due dates, meetings and other important things you need to know. Schedule study time and when you will be working on papers. It might sound a little over the top, but also make sure to schedule breaks and time for fun, like hanging out with friends. If you always know what you’re supposed to be doing and when, finals week will fly by.

Take breaks.

Constantly doing homework and having deadlines every day can take all of the energy out of you, but remember that it’s okay to take a break every once in awhile. A few hours not thinking about that really big test can clear your head and refresh your brain so you don’t get overtired. It might seem like you don’t have time, but spending an afternoon or even just a few hours with friends can relax you and help relieve some stress.

Stay healthy.

Exercising pushes extra blood flow to the brain, while sitting still for long amounts of time can make you tired. Try and take a trip to the gym. The adrenaline of a workout will give you more energy to keep going and you’ll probably feel productive. Eating right will also make you feel better as you’re cramming for that last final. Healthier foods will make you feel more alert and ready to go – and when you’re done, you can reward yourself with all the holiday food you want.

There is always a lot going on during finals week, so just take a deep breath and remember that you can get through it as long as you stay focused and organized.