The weeks after Thanksgiving can seem like they drag on forever. With the end of the semester approaching, stress levels and exhaustion are higher than ever. As final papers, presentations and projects come to a close, finals week begins its grueling process. Here are a few tips and tricks for maintaining your sanity, health and happiness during the worst week of the semester.

1. Start early

One of the biggest mistakes that college students make when it comes to finals is not studying early enough. Rather than waiting until classes are finished, start studying ahead of time. While there are assignments that are still due for classes, putting at least 30 minutes a day toward memorization and review can help develop a routine. This is also helpful as the brain doesn’t have to work on remembering everything within a short amount of time. You’re more likely to remember something if you study it continuously. Starting early also allows for the chance to reach out to professors or peers in advance to get clarification on something you may not understand.

“Students need to give themselves enough time to prepare, and of course talking to professors and fellow students are always very good tips,” Dr. Jeanne Zaino, a Political Science professor, said. “You have to balance everything.”

2. Organize & Schedule

Staying organized during finals week is essential. The only thing that is more terrifying than the finals themselves is not being able to find the notes you need to study. Look through notes, binders, textbooks and your laptop to gather all of the material you know you will need for the end of the semester. Keep your study space clean and create an easily accessible schedule for what you will review and when. Creating a schedule will help relieve stress and allow you to manage how much you studied and what is left to study. Labeling your notes with dates throughout the year will also help keep everything in order come crunch time!

3. Health

Because finals allow for very little breathing room, it is important to keep the mind and body healthy. Finals week makes it easy to give into carbs and unhealthy amounts of coffee and energy drinks. While it may be tempting to grab quick meals from McDonalds or pull an all-nighter to get an extra bit of work done, these habits will only hurt you in the long run. Sleep deprivation negatively impacts your memory and focus, and eating unhealthy food will make you lethargic. Reminding yourself to drink water and eat some fruits and vegetables not only impacts your physical being but is beneficial towards your mental health as well.

4. Breaks

One of the biggest mistakes that students make is cramming everything in at the last minute. Rather than super long study sessions, give yourself a break in between sessions. Instead of studying for an hour straight and then taking a long break, study for 25 to 30 minutes and give yourself a five to 10 minute break. Grab a healthy snack, take a short walk or stretch to help the mind relax. Make sure to keep up with friends or gather with them and start a study group – just don’t isolate yourself completely.

5. Sleep

Chances are, a lot of Iona students have pulled all-nighters. While we do get more hours of studying by doing so, this is not healthy for the brain. The worst thing to do to yourself is creating an uneasy sleep schedule. Not only will you be tired when studying, but it will be harder to focus during your finals if your desire for some rest is becoming relentless. Allowing yourself a good amount of sleep is physically, mentally and emotionally helpful. It also helps you retain the information you studied!

Finals week is not only stressful for students, but for professors as well.

“I try to go back and make sure that the final exam…covers what we’ve covered in class,” Zaino said. “I try to make sure students…need any help preparing. Then the aftermath, grading is always a task. I think students may not realize it’s almost as stressful for the professors… writing it, grading, being clear on the structure of the exam, and of course you want everyone to do well.”

Professors across all disciplines have to buckle down and grade every assignment you turn in. Whether they’re in the Accounting department, the Mass Communications department, the Speech Pathology department or somewhere else, every professor is preparing to review hundreds of papers and exams within the next few weeks.

“This is where students get their revenge,” Dr. Christina Carlson, an English professor, said. “I know, having been a student, it is extremely stressful getting through those five final exams or final papers. [As a teacher], when you’re grading a hundred or more things and you’re trying to get them done by a specific deadline, there is a karma to it.”

While you may be frustrated by assignments or how long a paper is, try not to take it out on your professors. They’ve got their work cut out for them in the next few weeks as well.

When it’s all said and done, finals week isn’t a great time for anyone. Too much caffeine will be consumed, deadlines will be missed and meals will be forgotten. However, if we remember to be compassionate with one another, we have the potential to make it a little less daunting. Try bringing a coffee or a snack to a friend holed up in the library or shoot a smile to someone who looks like they’re having a bad day.

“I hope professors keep their students in mind at the end of the year and know that you guys are under a lot of stress,” Carlson said. “But also keep your professors in mind. Ultimately this whole learning experience is collaborative and being aware of what the other person is going through during this time. Good luck!”