One of the first things to go for students during finals week is a normal sleeping schedule. A good night’s sleep is seen as a privilege instead of a necessity, and students struggle to sneak in a few hours here and there in between working problem sets, cramming and writing papers. Though an all-nighter may be needed every once in a while, staying up all night for an entire week is unsustainable and puts too great a strain on the body and mind. Studying becomes ineffective without proper rest, and the stress incurred can make it difficult to think during exams.

Furthermore, depriving your body of the sleep it needs makes you far more vulnerable to the illnesses that are spread more easily during the winter. When people huddle in close quarters in Whispers to avoid the cold or take a break from studying, you want to be able to fight off the pathogens people are liable to spread.

Sleep-deprived students are vulnerable enough to illness as it is. But to make matters worse, it is also easy for them to forget to maintain a healthy diet during finals week. Your body will need a steady supply of vitamins to keep your immune system functioning and your mind alert, so chicken tenders and chocolate muffins aren’t going to cut it. Students should make sure to include fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet, even if they must wait a little bit longer in line or spend a couple of extra minutes eating. It will be worth it to avoid that cold the night before your chemistry finals.

Finally, don’t spend the whole week in a cubicle in the B-level stacks. Take a few minutes every now and again to relax, collect your thoughts or chat with a friend. If you don’t blow off steam, the quality of your work and studying will noticeably decline.

Final exams are important. But so are you, so during this finals week, don’t forget to maintain your health.