With the school year coming to a close, stress piles on with upcoming finals, AP exams, and cramming to fit the rest of the curriculum in before school is over. Even though it may seem there’s no way to get rid of that stress, there are a few ways to decompress without completely losing your focus.

Although it might seem obvious, taking breaks from studying and doing homework is a great way to forget some of that stress, even if it’s only momentarily. A fifteen minute break won’t kill your entire study session.

Another way to destress is to provide yourself incentives so that you’re motivated to keep on working. Setting a timer and giving yourself a break after working for 15 minutes can make the break feel well-deserved and during the 15 minutes you have a reason to keep on working.

Prioritizing what needs to be done the the most urgently to the least  brings you a sense of relief when you finish the thing that’s been stressing you out the most. If you have to write an essay or finish the math homework that’s not due for two weeks, it’s probably be a good idea to write the essay first, and by the time you get to the math, it’ll seem like a breeze.

Getting outside and taking a walk or going for a short drive can also be a good way to clear your mind. Turning up the radio and clearing your mind makes it easier to start back up again because you’ve had time to get your mind off your work.

And while it’s not good to stress-eat, a cookie or a couple pieces of candy never hurt anyone, especially when you’re in crunch-mode and need something to keep you going.

If all else fails, just think ahead: only twelve more days for seniors, and 22 for everyone else. That can’t be so bad right?