The top 10 ways to relax before finals

Odds are if you are at Hopkins, you're pretty smart and since smart people generally tend to study and all that fun stuff, you are likely to be preparing for some major academic expenditure and work during the upcoming finals period. Surprise, surprise, this time may become stressful for you.

You may become frustrated. You may feel like there is nowhere to turn.You may be looking for ways to relax and the News-Letter is here to help. Try the following suggestions:

10. Stuff your face. That extra 15 isn't just for freshman. Mommy sent you back from Thanksgiving with lots of goodies. Can we say chocolate chips? Indulge when you need a little break and don't forget the milk.

9. Call a friend. Talk to a fellow Blue Jay and vent your common frustrations. Or since we all know there are schools where people do not work and do not need to study (where the weekend legitimately begins on Tuesday or Wednesday) give friend from home a call. Make plans for Christmas break and Intersession if you'll be around.

8. Move!!!! Exercise is our friend. (Remember all those chocolate chips?). Many JHU students surveyed said they run when they need to relax. Hit the AC or grab a friend and move 'til you feel the burn.

7. Get High. Literally. At Port Discovery here in "America's Greatest City" there currently is an exhibit that allows you to venture upward in a HiFlyer hot air balloon. on Dec. 1. See the view, get some fresh air, get in the spirit and put it all in perspective.

6. Utilize the VCR. We all have our favorite video, that guaranteed "feel better" film. Get out your copy or visit MSE which has it's own unique movielibrary for something you haven't seen. And keeping with the holiday spirit you may want to try something classic and Christmas-y. Think the new Grinch, Home Alone perhaps, and don't neglect those old school cartoons. Frosty the Snowman anyone?

5. "Lighten up." There are a plethora of holiday lights displays in the area. Get out for some visual stimulation. Some options include the Festival of Lights in Baltimore's Fell's Point on Dec. 1 and the 14, as well as the Annual Parade of Lighted Boats in the Inner Harbor, also on Dec. 1.

4. Shop. Direct orders from Washington. You are needed to help stimulate the economy. Go spend money and check some of those holiday gift purchases off your list. Most importantly though, buy yourself something too. Come on, you know a new sweater makes everything better. And while you're visiting a holiday shopping Mecca, stop by to see Santa.

3. D-level challenge. Is there ever a bad time for the D-Level challenge? And extra points for picking finals time, when the library is packed.

2. Sleep. Power naps are also our friends. Or better still have a "cave day" on the weekend before you start studying. Make sure you are well rested by gathering a group of friends together, having a fun Friday night, then an unproductive Saturday. Laziness reigns. The television goes on (Lifetime movies or ESPN perhaps) and no one is allowed to get up except to eat and visit the bathroom. Once it gets dark you can move again.

1. And finally..don't study. In talking with upperclassman, the most common advice for dealing with the tension of finals was simply to avoid the situation all together. "Just don't study," they suggest, "you really don't need to." Yeah. Okay. We'll all just rely on our stellar God-given intelligence. Wonderful idea.