Ahhh, finals.

It's that time of year again...the time where we hide ourselves in the library and convince everyone that we're studying, but we're actually googling things like how many nights can you go without sleeping before dying? or Is it healthy to eat pizza rolls for dinner six nights in a row? The answer is no, by the way. I get it though-pizza rolls are delicious and it's much easier than cooking.

I think fall semester finals are the worst because Thanksgiving and Christmas are taunting us. We want to be able to enjoy a nice Thanksgiving meal with our families, but finals are ominously hanging above our heads. We want to look forward to the holidays, but we have multiple papers to write and projects to complete before then. It can be hard to focus on our studies when all we want to do is throw on our Christmas onesies and shop online-but it must be done! With a good bit of finals week experiences under my belt, I've discovered a few tips and tricks that work for me.

Here's how you can stay focused on your finals without going completely insane:

1. Make sure you're getting enough sleep. I'm serious. Do it. Trust me.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We've heard it all before. Sleep is good. Sleep is necessary. I made sure that this was number one on my list because you will do poorly on your finals if you're running on little to no sleep. I know it can be tempting to stay awake until the wee hours of the morning to finish up that paper, but you will perform much better if you get a sufficient amount of sleep...trust me. Try scheduling your day a little better in order to incorporate a decent amount of sleep.

2. Take breaks.

When I'm writing a decently-sized paper, I like to treat myself along the way. After I finish a couple paragraphs, I'll take a five minute break and check my phone or do a couple stretches. Get up from your desk and walk around for a bit. It'll help to pause and refresh, and it'll allow you come back to your paper with a clearer mind.

3. If you can...study with friends.

While this can be distracting, sometimes studying with a group of people can be beneficial. You can discuss topics with them that you may be struggling with and get their perspective on things. I find that teaching my notes to someone else helps me to learn it better, too. Gather up some study buddies, bring some snacks, and camp out in the library for a few hours. Just make sure you stay focused on your work and not the latest gossip.

4. Set daily goals for yourself.

Keep a planner and set a daily schedule for yourself. Keep track of your progress. It feels so good to be able to cross items off your list after you complete them, and it helps to stay on top of things!

5. Breathe.

Remember to breathe and stay focused! Don't stress yourself out too much. Finals won't last forever, and let the upcoming holidays be your motivation.

Good luck to everyone, and happy testing!