You’re sitting at your desk on the verge of a breakdown with an extra large iced coffee in hand. It’s the night before your most difficult final exam, and you’re trying to comprehend the foreign language of math equations before you. You’re exhausted, you’re stressed, and most of all, you’re unprepared. Sound familiar?

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to prepare for exams sans meltdowns and 3 AM cramming:

Two weeks before the exam

• Do the review guides

Teachers don’t make the review guides for their own benefit–it’s for yours. So take advantage of the study method by completing them early. The best way to break the packets down and make studying more manageable is to work in sections. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to ask your teacher questions about concepts you don’t understand.

• Look over past assignments

Review guides are great for general studying, but if you want to study more specific questions, it’s a good idea to look back at past assignments and quizzes. You’ll get a more focused idea of what each unit covered.

• Make flashcards

To ensure you absorb all the information, turn your completed review guide into flashcards. Studies say If you write the information out, you are more likely to remember it. Not only are flashcards effective, but also convenient; you can keep them in your backpack for whenever you find a free moment to study. Junior Gabby Del Real said this is one of her favorite study methods.

“I make flashcards for every subject,” Del Real said. “It helps me understand the concept.”

• Stay organized

With numerous responsibilities during finals week, from projects to sports practices, time management is vital. One way to avoid the stress is to create a schedule of what finals you need to study for, and budget time for each subject. Once you have a plan, you’ll be more likely to follow through.

One week before the exam

• Find a quiet place to study

With the distractions that come with the holiday season, your house might not always be the best place to study. You should have a few alternate options, such as the library or a coffee shop. No matter where you choose to study, make sure it’s an environment where you can really focus.

• Create study groups

Study groups can either be really helpful or just another distraction, so be honest with yourself before joining one. As long as you are confident you can focus and your group will keep each other on task, get a group of friends together a few times before the exam and work through the review guides.

• Seek help from teachers and peers

If you haven’t been asking for help throughout the semester, it’s not too late. If you don’t understand something, ask your teacher to go over it with you. Teachers are usually very willing to help, but if they are busy and you would like some more one-on-one help, stop by the literacy center. They are open every morning at 7 a.m. and during all lunch periods.

The dreaded night before/day of

• Get a good night sleep

Pulling an all-nighter may seem like a good idea, but studies show that getting a good night sleep will actually help you perform better on exams. Eight hours of sleep is recommended. So turn off your phone, pull up the covers and get in bed at a reasonable time.

• Pack your bag the night before

After all the hard work you’ve put in to prepare for finals, the last thing you want to do is show up late, so having your things packed the night before is one way to cut down your time in the morning. Make sure you pack the necessities: a few number two pencils, erasers and a calculator (with your teacher’s permission), but don’t forget to bring a water bottle and snacks. Also, bring study materials–you can get some last-minute studying in, and if you finish early you can study for the next exam.

• Eat a good breakfast the day of

It’s always important to eat a healthy breakfast, but especially on the day of a final exam. Studies show that eating breakfast helps improve academic performance, so don’t skip this important meal.

• Be comfortable

Depending on the final, you could be sitting in a desk for 100 minutes, so wear something that makes you feel comfortable. Whether that means throwing on your favorite sweatpants and sweatshirt, or dressing up in something that makes you feel confident, don’t let your choice of apparel distract you from your goal: to ace those exams.