Exams.

That word is quite possibly the most horrifying word in college. (Well, there's also "student loans," but that's for another time.) Students lose sleep over that word, have nightmares about it, and don't know what to do about it. Exams are the bane of a college student's existence. Students may try to study for them, but then it just seems too daunting a task. Here are five ways to improve your study habits.

1. Study

"What? It's really that simple?" Yes, yes it is. Most students fail exams, not because they are too hard (contrary to most college students' opinions), but because they didn't study. Maybe they thought it was too much work, so they just pushed it off "until tomorrow" for several days, right up until the night before the exam. They then realized the error of their ways, pulled an all-nighter, and promised never to put off studying again. That is, until a few months later when they do exactly the same thing. I admit that, sometimes, all-nighters do work, but the best way to study is to take it a little at a time over the course of a few days or even just a weekend.

2. Starbucks

Believe it or not, Starbucks may actually be proven somewhere to improve study habits. I just haven't found where yet. In any case, if you do happen to need something to wake you up enough to study, whether or not it's for an all-nighter, Starbucks is the place to go. Many campuses have them, and some may even be open late on weeknights for your studying needs. Coffee is a staple in almost every college student's life, especially during exams.

3. De-stress

No, no, not distress, de-stress . Sometimes, you need to just sit back and unwind, whether it's right after a grueling exam (I'm looking at you Calculus.), after a long study session, or you're just plain freaking out. Even if your school doesn't officially have some sort of "De-stress Central" or something like that, you can still easily find places to go to or things to do that can easily help you de-stress. Do something that relaxes you. Like video games - play one that doesn't stress you out. Love to read? Go to your school's library. Just relax and get your mind off of studying for a couple of hours.

4. Get out!

Do you ever feel like you're getting squeezed to death by the walls of the room you study in? You may be feeling claustrophobic from all the studying you've been doing. I suggest that you either take a small break to de-stress (as noted above) or change the room you're studying in. Try going to your school's library. Many have rooms you can get for yourself to study quietly in. As an alternative, try going outside if it's not too noisy and the weather's okay. A breath of fresh air and a change of scenery will do you good, whether or not you enjoy the outdoors.

5. Be encouraging

This one is more for others than it is for you. Some people just don't believe they can pass, even with the hours or days of studying they've been doing. They need encouragement to do well and "finish the race." They need to know that others will be cheering them on as they take the exam. Just a little encouragement can go a long way. As the saying says, "What goes around comes around." Who knows? You may need encouragement someday and that very person that you gave encouragement to may be the only person who sees that you need it, and that may only be because you gave it to them in the first place.

These are five ways to improve your own study habits. Study needs are unique to each person and each class, so don't expect this to solve all your problems. Study habits are called habits for a reason. These won't become second-nature overnight. Some of these may take quite a bit of work, but, believe me, it is all worth it in the end.