Well it’s that time of year again. No, I’m not talking about National Bathtub Day, which was Wednesday, so if you haven’t yet, go out and buy that special bathtub in your life.

Another thing that’s lurking around the corner is finals week. Now if you’re anything like me, you spend much of the week kicking yourself for slacking off for 13 weeks.

While being upset at yourself is OK, the most important thing is to avoid getting stressed out and doing something drastic like shaving all your chest hair. As a public service to the community, I have taken it upon myself to come up with a list of tips, which are sure to boost your grades and keep you sane over the next seven days.

I like to call this list: 10 study tips from Nick.

1. Know what classes you’re enrolled in.

As simple as this may sound, if you don’t know what classes you’re taking, you might not know what to study for. A simple solution to this problem is going to your local bookstore and having an employee print out your schedule.

2. Go out and buy your textbooks.

While you’re at the bookstore getting your schedule, you should pick up the books you’ll need, too. Those books sometimes can help you out, so you might want to open them up.

3. Get the partying out of your system.

There is no time to party when you’re supposed to be studying. If 13 weeks wasn’t enough time for you to party and drink, go out tonight and try to finish a keg on your own. Then take advantage of the time you spend near the toilet by reading your philosophy book. (Oh yeah, if you do finish that book, tell me how it goes.)

4. Stock up on goodies.

It’s important to have food to help get you through those all-nighters. So go out and stock up on yummy food and drinks like Junior Mints and Mountain Dew Code Red.

5. Look over your notes.

If your notes aren’t pages of doodles and stick figures, this is the most important step in studying. Take some time and look over what you’ve learned.

6. Take breaks

There is no doubt that all that studying will stress you out, but if you pace yourself it will be less stressful. Try walking around or talking to a friend to help you relax. The only important thing to avoid is playing Snood. Even one game.

7. Read Monday’s Northern Star.

The Finals Issue will be full of useful information to keep you calm during the week.

8. Think of Christmas.

Whenever you feel overwhelmed, just think of Christmas dinner and the arguments you’re bound to get in with members of your family. By shifting your energy to hating your relatives, you almost will forget about that big math test.

9. There is no number nine.

There is no number 10 either. The new name for my list is “Eight study tips from Nick.”

I hope it helps. I would like to think that my advice actually is worth something. I must warn you though; any information you take from me is at your own risk. I’m really not the person to give out advice, and anyone who needs to look to me for study tips is worse off than he or she probably should admit.

I do wish you all the best of luck, and all that good stuff. Now don’t mess up.

One more thing. I swear I didn’t shave my chest.