There are only three weeks of classes left of the fall 2013 semester. Now, let the shock set in.

If you’re realizing that you are behind and aren’t ready for finals, you’re not alone. But while you’re rushing around to get everything finished, don’t forget to stay healthy.

It is this time of the year that students hide inside with coffee or some bag of noisy food.

As stress levels rise, the ability to feed ourselves properly goes out the window. Students quickly turn towards convenience over health. I know this because I’m also guilty of it. Caught up in whatever class I’m catching up in, the constant working on my thesis, I find myself snacking rather than eating full meals.

So going into these final few weeks, be prepared and stock up. Everyone should head to the grocery store and pick up a few essential items.

First thing you should be sure to have is something you can eat for breakfast.
It can be just about anything, because, as we’ve all been told over and over, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

By just having something as little as a granola bar every morning, it will give you the fuel to make it through the rough mornings.

Some quick breakfast options are: bagel with cream cheese or peanut

butter, instant oatmeal and yogurt.

The second thing students should stock up on is snack- able veggies and fruits. This is a fresh and quick snack for anytime of the day.

Grab a bag of dried mangos, some apples and caramel sauce, carrots and ranch or celery with peanut butter. These are all easy options for constant snacking.

The final things you should grab are sandwich supplies. This will guarantee that there is always some- thing substantial you can eat.

Whether it is a PB&J or a turkey sandwich, a sandwich is enough to fill your stomach and cure any hunger spells.

Another thing you should have in hand is a water bottle. Staying hydrated is key to staying healthy, so having a water bottle makes it easier to access while running around with your busy schedule.

While suggesting sleeping more might be a losing battle, all-nighters –despite the amount of work you can get done during one– are not good on your body and immune system.

So sleep while you may not sleep all through the night, I suggest sleep when you can.
If you have a two-hour break, go take a nap. If you have a meeting in an hour lay down for 30 minutes.

Taking naps during the day may even help you per- form better work on your exams and assignments.

For those of you who only have short 40 to 50 minute breaks, just zone out for a bit. It’s amazing what 20 minutes of doing something mindless can do for your mind. While the craziness of the end of the semester is inevitable, try to go into it being prepared.

Kaylyn Peterson / Managing editor

Kaylyn Peterson can be reached at [email protected]