If dead week makes you feel dead inside, you’re not alone. The continuous stream of studying and excessive caffeine consumption followed by more studying makes all of us feel like zombies. We at the Clog have had our fair share of dead weeks, so we have some advice for making it less shitty.

Take a cold shower

Taking a cold shower might be miserable at first, but it can increase alertness and relieve some of the stress that comes with a week of studying.

Exercise in the morning

Go to the RSF early, even if you don’t have time to get a full workout in. Getting your body moving early will increase your mental clarity and productivity for the rest of the day.

Shop for holiday gifts during study breaks

Allowing yourself some leisure during study breaks is important. Going shopping online is productive because you can get your family and friends holiday gifts, and it enables you to feel the rush of buying something new.

Pop a mint

Grabbing a mint (the stronger mint you can find the better) can help you stay alert and can aid your memory. So, get some mints, mint gum or minted water for the salutary effects.

Meditate

Practicing meditation for about 15 minutes on a daily basis will reduce stress and improve concentration. When your energy’s waning, meditation can get you back on track to study effectively.

Drink a glass of cold water

Instead of having that sixth cup of coffee, pour yourself a glass of cold water. It’ll boost blood flow to your brain, helping you stay awake even when you’re minutes away from falling into a deep slumber.

Study with other people

Study groups stop procrastination because of the nature of the meeting and ending at a scheduled time. Also, studying by yourself can be monotonous and tiresome. Studying with other people might be more enjoyable and less sleep-inducing.

Now that you have a battle plan, make sure to implement it in order to have a more efficient and interesting dead week. Don’t settle for a groggy, caffeine-imbued dead week that’ll leave you wrecked. By studying in a group, taking cold showers or exercising in the morning, you can actually feel alive during dead week.