December is here, and as everyone feverishly counts the days until winter break and the new year, another event lurks ominously in the shadows: final exam week.

Reactions can range from frenetic cramming to hollow surrender. As this dreaded week nears, tell-tale signs of fatigue become more evident: sweatpants make their way from the back of the closet to the bodies of sleepless students (many of whom are inches away from insanity), the drive-thru line at Starbucks becomes increasingly longer, and the phrase “are you tired” rearranges itself into “you are tired;” as if it is now a matter of fact, and not a question.

But fear not. Though handing students an answer key for every exam is out of the question, here are some things that will help them survive this year’s grade-pocalypse:

• Tutorials. If you’re ever unsure about anything, you should probably consult the teacher who actually knows what’s going to be on the test. Chances are, you will feel more confident about the material and can avoid studying unnecessary material.

• Designated study spaces.  As long as you feel comfortable and capable of being productive, anywhere will do. Personal favorites include at a desk, in the library, and in bed (but don’t get too comfortable and nod off).

• Music. Some people are uneasy about having music played in the background, but if you’re one of the people who don’t mind it, definitely plug in. It might help keep you awake, calm you down, or even help you develop a memorization tool after hearing a particularly catchy song.

• Food. This should really be a given, but just as a reminder: DO NOT FORGET TO FEED YOURSELF. Don’t skip dinner, and while studying, keep some snacks close by. This not only decreases the need to move out of your seat and loiter in the pantry, but it also gives you more energy if you’re feeling lethargic or dizzy. Good snacks to include are granola bars, nuts, crackers, or fruits. Avoid sugary foods.

• Water. Another given, but make sure to have plenty of this around to help fend off headaches and keep you awake.

• A parole officer. Well, not really. But you do need something to monitor your Internet usage. Tools such as Chrome Nanny (for Chrome users) and SelfControl (for Macs) block specific websites for a set amount of time, so you don’t spend 30 minutes reblogging pictures of sloths instead of memorizing math formulas.

• Relaxation. Set aside one (or two) hours for finals-unrelated activities. Bake a cake, go skydiving, compose an angsty tweet about how much you hate finals — whatever does not include internalizing your hundred-page textbook.

It’s important to remember that everybody is idiosyncratic, meaning everybody responds to stress differently. What works for others may not work for you. But if you’re ever feeling down, just think — you’re days away from sleeping in, eating food, and being merry…