With the end of the school year comes that age-old trial of finals week.

The stress of realizing summer is right around the corner, and yet you need to get so much done this week, can be overwhelming. Why must it taunt us by being so close, yet so far away? No one understands this better than our best, furry friends. So, here they are explaining some ways to help you have the best possible final week of the semester.

Organize everything, and prioritize what you need to do.

Knowing what you need to accomplish will help ensure you don’t forget about anything, and helps you plan what to do and when, so you’re not rushing to get anything done at the last minute. Make a list of every assignment to turn in, paper to write, and test to study for, so you can check each item off when it’s done and move on to the next task.

Make a fun snack.

Study snacks are super important- they keep you energized and able to concentrate on the task at hand. The act of making a snack can be calming, as it forces you to focus on something other than the work you need to do. Take some time to find an interesting new recipe and try it out. It will be a fun break and a good treat.

Study with a friend.

Partnering up with a classmate to review for your test or read each other’s papers definitely makes getting ready for finals better. The other person can help you understand concepts you don’t understand, quiz you on important facts and check over your work. They can also remind you when to take a pause from studying. As long as you stay on track and don’t get too distracted chatting and laughing, having someone work with you is much better than studying alone.

Move.

Go to the gym, have a dance party, or just get up and stretch. Sitting in one place for too long, like what tends to happen when studying for long periods of time, makes you feel down and lousy. Get up and do something active for a short while to become fresher and more upbeat.

Spend time outside.

Whether it’s bringing your textbooks outside to review, sitting in a park, or going for a short walk, getting outside is a fantastic way to combat stress. Fresh air and sunshine are great mood boosters; sitting in the grass, seeing the clouds, and listening to birds chirp might make you feel good as well.

Make sure you get enough rest.

The temptation to stay up extremely late studying or to pull all-nighters is real; and while it seems like it might be helpful, the consequences are far greater than the rewards. Sleep is extremely important to your health (especially during stressful times), and getting it makes you feel happier, too. Even if it’s just a quick break, lying down and letting your mind relax for a little bit helps you to be more ready to get back to work.

Now go out there and conquer finals — you got this!