As Winter Break approaches, and a huge majority of students and faculty are excited for the Holiday season, there is almost nothing that can dampen the mood of the building…except for a week of pure academic agony. This agony has one name, and one name only: Final Exams.

Finals is an event that is so stressful, petrifying to some. However, there are many steps that you can take to make the upcoming battle of finals turn into a victory for you.

First off, make sure you actually prepare before the test. Actually do the final review packets, study the packet, and read your textbooks. Don’t just copy down the review packet and turn it in for a completion grade. The completion score won’t have anything to do with you getting an A on the actual exam.

Second, take care of yourself while studying. Make sure you get enough sleep and have enough to eat before exam day, as this will greatly enhance your ability to perform well. Also, do not cram the night before and lose much needed sleep in the process. Personally, I have been in countless situations where my performance on an exam has been hindered by lack of sleep. In the long run, it is much better to span out your studying.

In addition, find a study method that works for you, and use all methods possible that can help. If you are a visual learner, try flashcards. If you are an auditory learner, try listening to lectures online. Speaking of online, there are countless practice exams, study packets, and lectures not given to you by your teachers that are online. The internet is more than a place for posting pictures of your cat; use it to its full advantage.

Finally, and probably the most important tip of all, do not panic. It is not the end of the world if you are not as prepared as you should be. Instead of panicking and stressing out, use that time to your advantage, and continue to study. Worst case scenario, you don’t get as good of a grade as you hoped for. There are a lot worse things that can happen other than your A turning into a B. Stay calm, Marquette. Finals are only a battle in the long war of education.