With the end of another year on the horizon, here are several ways to unwind, recharge, and celebrate after finals!

Fried brain?

Fried food. If you managed to avoid all the late-night fast food runs in the last week, reward yourself! Instead of stuffing your face with fries out of sadness, stress, and procrastination, do so with a clear conscious that you shouldn’t be editing a paper instead.

Escape.

I know the first minute I can, I will be hopping in my friend’s car and driving down to the beach. There’s nothing like fresh air and an old favorite spot (or a great new one) to recharge. With most colleges getting out before Memorial Day, take the opportunity to sit on the beach without paying for a daily badge. Just because the badge checkers are off duty doesn’t mean the sun is--don’t forget the sunscreen!

Take off.

The one thing I force myself to do every May is take off -- no work, no babysitting, no checking grades -- for just a few days. By day three or four I’m itching to go back, but a few days to eat chips, watch Netflix, and organize everything I neglected all semester is much appreciated (I’m looking at you, mountain of shoes in the corner of the room).

Celebrate.

Throw a party in the dorms, have a movie night, see your old friends as you all arrive home, go out to dinner with your family! You kicked butt this year and you deserve to celebrate that. Surviving a few all-nighters, a brutal exam, and several research papers calls for a party or two.

Go outside.

Free yourself from seeing the gorgeous early May weather from the library windows -- get out! Go for a hike, run, or swim (or all three!). Take advantage of the hot, but not too hot, weather this time of year has to offer. Get some ice cream while you’re out, because Tom Haverford would want you to treat yourself.