With only one week of school left, the fall 2007 term is coming to a close. Most of us are excited about the winter holidays with the promise of family festivities, outrageous parties and the beginning of a new year. However, before even thinking about the holidays, we must first overcome the multiple papers due in our class as well as the dreaded finals! After hearing the word “finals,” most of us are dreading the end of the semester just thinking about that one test which, for some students, can either make or break you.

But don’t fear, the Statesman is here! The lovely staff here has compiled a list of advice for willing students to ace their way to an A.

The first advice we have for you guys is not to procrastinate. As fellow college students, we have all fell into the dreadful pit known as procrastination. First we’ll delay studying by an hour. It’s only an hour you’ll say as you browse through the TV or surf online. Before you know it, three hours have passed. Then you’ll convince yourself that it’s not a big deal. You’ll make up that time later. But before you know it, there’s only four hours before the test and you’re stressing like no tomorrow. This is a no-no! Half hour breaks are understandable, 15 minutes are advisable. But anything more and you’re playing with fire. FACEBOOK is the devil, but spending some time to glimpse through the Statesman is recommended. We are a viable outlet for stressed students to catch up on some campus news.

Following this vein – don’t cram. Granted, for many of us this seems like the only option at this stage of the game, but try to study in sessions. Study a little every night so you can slowly absorb the information. No one is rushing you. Instead of studying for 20 hours straight, spend a couple of hours on one subject and take a nap. Spend a couple of minutes stretching, snacking and chatting with friends. Splash a little color back into your life and come back to reality. If you’re really tired, take a half hour nap. Then tackle another subject.

Now that you have the basic knowledge of your subject down, try studying with friends. Go to tutoring if you have identified topics you are not familiar with. Always go to the review sessions recommended by your professors and NEVER skip class. You never know what you’re missing when that happens. Most importantly, don’t stress.

A recommended stress reliever is the midnight breakfast. A well-known Stony Brook tradition the midnight breakfast is held right before finals week. This year the breakfast will be on the 17th so make sure to catch it. Get there early though, or you will have to suffer the trials of a long line.

If you’re having problems finding a quiet place to study, relax. Here is a cache of hidden places that we are willing to share to our devoted readers.

The first place we’re fond of is the Chemistry Library on the second floor of the Chemistry building. Although, the library can be a bit stuffy, it is usually so quiet that a pin drop could be heard throughout the area.

The Health Science Center Library is another tremendously quiet area, even if it’s a bit far from campus. It is on the third floor at the HSC and a frequent spot for many HSC students. However, if you’re a political science major or an english major, don’t feel discriminated. All students are welcomed, so I have heard.

For those students unwilling to commute to the HSC and battle the harsh winds of winter, the fourth floor of the Melville Library is a well-known jewel within the heavily trafficked library. The library stacks are usually uninhabited.

Finally, the last place we recommend that students go study is the Social and Behavior Sciences building. Never crowded, students in need of isolation can find a reliable corner to study in.

Now close your eyes. Take a deep breath. I think you’re ready.