As the school year comes to a close and finals week begins, Campus Health officials say it's important for students to do their best not to get burnt out.

They recommended that students start studying for finals now to keep the workload from getting too great, said Mike Strangstalien, a mental health clinician with Counseling and Psychological Services in Campus Health Service.

For those students who are just getting started, he recommends organizing and prioritizing their time.

"Make a list to see what you have to do so it is not so overwhelming, " Strangstalien said.

Sarah Osment, a language senior, said pacing herself is what keeps her from becoming too overwhelmed at test time.

"Live in the moment," she said. "If you have a lot of papers to do, don't worry about it all at once. Take them one at a time."

Strangstalien recommends avoiding alcohol or caffeine.

"They are easy to use but can be counterproductive in the long run," he said.

He also suggested that students eat a good breakfast because it is their fuel for the day.

"Breakfast doesn't mean a Marlboro, coffee and Krispy Kreme, either," he said.

Instead, Strangstalien said students should have a healthy multigrain cereal or other breakfast foods with an adequate amount of amino acids.

Students should stay away from junk food and sweets, including sweet sodas. Instead, fill up on fruits and

vegetables and lots of water.

"Even as water starts to get boring, try to find ways to flavor it. But stay hydrated," he said. "Water is the gasoline we run on."

Strangstalien said students should avoid staying up all night. He recommends getting seven to eight hours of sleep per night. If that isn't always possible, he says to try to get a minimum of four hours a night because your body needs that time to replenish, he said.

"If you know that you are doing bad in a class, the worst thing to do is stay up all night freaking out. Get some sleep," he said.

He said to make some Post-it Notes with positive sayings on them to keep you motivated.

"It is important that students visualize being successful," he said.

He also said that the last thing students should do is go out and party when they should be focusing on schoolwork.

"We make the mistake of coming to college and partying down, but this is a full-time job," he said.

Jamie Calland, an elementary education junior, said she keeps herself from getting too stressed by pacing herself and taking breaks when necessary.

"I don't stress too much about it," she said. "If I feel like I'm burnt-out, I take a break."

Strangstalien recommends taking 15 to 20 minute study breaks, doing something relaxing, like taking brisk walks or watching a little television. He also said it is important to laugh a little bit.

If students don't do so well on their tests, Strangstalien said they should plan ahead next time. CAPS also offers coaching for this time of the year to help students succeed.