That awkward time is here when everyone goes home for a week for Thanksgiving break and comes back for what feels like a march to finals. Two weeks of classes left, with the most unreal burnout I’ve ever felt for the semester, and I cannot wait for it to be over, but these weeks are probably the most important of the semester. Here are some things that have kept me going:

Create a Finals Study Schedule: With finals rapidly approaching, these weeks are the time to study for the end of the semester. It is key to create a schedule to study for any/all finals and stick to it to avoid stress and cramming later on.

Have a Designated Time to Stop Studying: It is important to know when to pack it up and stop studying for the night. Cramming into the late hours for exams will not be as beneficial for mental health as being able to set a specific time to stop and wind down for the night regardless of how much there is left to study.

Do Something that Brings Joy Everyday: These weeks are hard for everyone. And, even with the impending dread of finals week, it is important to take time to continue to do what you love to do regardless of how much studying you’re doing. Take the time to enjoy your hobbies as a break from studying every so often.

Try to get Enough Sleep: There are thousands of studies on the impact of a full night’s rest on academic performance. It is incredibly important to shoot for a total of 8 hours of sleep during these weeks. You’ll thank yourself later for letting yourself get ample rest.

Prioritize Mental Health, Always: In these weeks, I have found it so easy to get overwhelmed by everything wrapping up and preparing to go home for the next month. And sometimes it is necessary to take a breather and calm down before continuing with studying and work. Mental health matters, always, but especially during these weeks before finals.