It’s April, and the warmer weather is (hopefully) here to stay, with more on the way. It’s always refreshing to be able to go outside comfortably after a winter being cooped up indoors most of the time. Some people even get that good old excitement we all know as “spring fever.” While spring is definitely an exciting time of year, it’s important to keep our minds focused and devote our energy toward beneficial activities, such as finishing the semester strong.

Although it’s great timing that spring really begins to manifest as we are nearing the end of the school year, keep in mind that there are still four weeks left of the semester, with finals being the ultimate obstacle for many people. Therefore, it’s highly ill-advised to lose focus at such a critical point of the semester. Remember that your school work should always come first.

Fortunately, the warm and inviting weather has many benefits, too. It is important to find time to de-stress yourself, and spring allows more options to help clear your head as you work toward the end of the year. You could go for a walk, or a bike ride, or take a refreshing drive with the window down. If you’re into sports, you could get together with friends and shoot some hoops or throw a Frisbee. There are numerous ways to stay active and clear your mind.

If you really want to be efficient with your time, try integrating your activities with your studying. You can get the best of both worlds by studying outside, and with a friend if you so choose. If you have a writing assignment due, begin mentally planning the structure of your paper while walking to or from class. Planning ahead really does help, especially when it comes to writing an essay. If you at least know how you plan to complete your assignment, actually doing it is much less of a hassle.

Also, and this is very important, get enough sleep at night. Exactly how much sleep is needed varies from person to person, but typically, it’s recommended that you get more than three hours. I know from experience that trying to study for a test the night before does not lead to very fruitful results, even if you plan on staying up all night. Your mind grows weary and your concentration level begins to go south. If your situation requires you to pull an all-nighter, then do what you have to do, but realize that your mind won’t be able to handle the stress as well even if you manage to pull it off.

Depending on your circumstances, spring may a relaxing and exciting time or a stressful and anxious time. Going too far to either side of this spectrum is counterproductive to your success, so it’s key that you determine what is best for you in finding that healthy balance between preparing for finals and enjoying the nice weather we now have.