On December 18, ABC presented its annual airing of The Sound of Music. Naturally, I had to watch the movie while I studied for finals. While I did feel slightly guilty that I didn't get a ton of work done, it turns out that watching the songs and fun-filled antics of the Von Trapp family was exactly the uplifting boost I needed. Here are some moments from The Sound of Music to help you gear up for finals.

The hills are alive!

Despite the routine and often mundane life in the abbey, Maria still manages to get away for a bit to enjoy the weather and sing in the meadow. If you find yourself getting bored while studying don't be afraid to follow Maria's example and take a break. Get outside and enjoy the sunshine; if it isn't dangerously cold that is.

I have confidence!

It's almost impossible to not feel a bit more confident after hearing Maria's epic solo. Your finals may seem difficult or you may not know what to expect, but with confidence you can conquer anything.

The pine cone

During Maria's first dinner with the Von Trapp family, the sneaky children place a pine cone on her chair, causing her to jump. They all have a laugh and no real harm is done. Don't be afraid to have a bit of humor during finals week; I just wouldn't recommend placing a pine cone on your friend's chair at lunch.

So long, farewell!

While you may be tempted to stay up late and study during finals, make sure to get enough sleep. Take the advice of the Von Trapp children and know when it's time to call it a night. You'll thank yourself later when you actually remember what you studied the night before.

Climb every mountain!

Don't give up when things get hard. In the words of the Reverend Mother, you may need to "climb every mountain until you find your dream".

The Sound of Music will always be one of my favorite movies, not just because of its catchy tunes, but because of its countless lessons. Next time you need a little motivation, be sure to sit down and watch The Sound of Music.