Those new to finals week may find it a little overwhelming at first. While all classes come to a halt, every hour and half holds a few classes of students up to one of the toughest constant challenges of the semester: the final examination.The Alabamian would like to offer a few helpful tips to make the week as productive and stress-free as possible. Christmas is right around the corner, after all.

A quick downfall to finals week is cramming and brain overload. Time management is the key for students to keep their sanity and successfully retain information.

Students should check their syllabus for the final exams schedule to see what day each exam is on. Next, get a calendar and write down how long to study each subject and when to stop studying. Every day needs to be filled with at least two subjects so nothing will be overlooked.

Be sure to schedule in small breaks to give the mind time to retain the information. Another thing to consider is group studying with classmates in the library. Group studying will help keep everyone focused and allows everyone to contribute to answering tough questions that one might fail at going solo.

The library is an excellent place to study. For those of you who need absolute silence, the second floor is the ideal place for you. Group studying and other forms of studying are done on the ground floor. The SGA offers a free cereal bar on the first floor for brain food. The library is open Monday, Dec. 8 through Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and  on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Other snacks to consider during study breaks should consist of healthy things like hummus, cashews, cheese, pita chips, fruit etc., to keep the brain going. Snacks full of sugar can actually lead to sugar cravings and headaches if too many are consumed.

Be mindful of getting a decent amount of rest. The amount of sleep a person gets also determines how much information is stored in the brain. Make sure to eat breakfast before taking early finals to help stimulate the brain and stave off distracting hunger.

Above all, go into finals week with a productive mindset. Don’t be afraid to take a few study breaks and relax with friends. When it’s all over, go home and curl up with friends and family at home. The deed will be done; the race will be won. Oh, and happy holidays.