You’ve made it all the way to April and it’s time for that last stretch of work before summer vacation. As we all know, spring here can be beautiful but it can also be super intense, and the last thing you want is to get ill now that you’re so close to the end of the year! But if you follow these tips, you should be able to power through these last few weeks of classes no problem.

1) Cut back on the caffeine. As end of term papers and projects come due, downing three Rockstars to get you through can be tempting beyond belief. But relying on caffeine to get you through the night isn’t always the best idea. Not only can it potentially cause you insomnia past your all nighter, but too much of it can even make you sick. And relying on caffeine for energy means you’ll be in a high-then-crash cycle all night long—not fun! If you need a quick energy boost to get you through, grab a healthy snack like some yogurt or an energy bar or sneak in a quick power nap. Even a little caffeine is okay; one or even two energy drinks or cups of coffee are totally fine. But pounding three or four Monsters in a row? Might be a bad choice.

2) Sleep. We all pull all nighters sometimes, especially this time of year. Whether it’s just too much work to complete in the daytime or it’s just too tempting to spend gorgeous spring days out in the Yard, it can be really easy to find yourself starting work at 10 or 11 pm… and finishing with the dawn. It’s going to happen a few times, but try to cut back on those all nighters because sleep is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself healthy. Try to structure your work so you can handle most of it during the day, and don’t let your mental mantra be “I have all night…!”
Get outdoors. Cambridge may have some pretty awful days weather-wise even in April, but there are bound to be some lovely sunny days to balance them out, and when those days happen, you should get outside! Sunshine boosts your vitamin D, which in turn boosts your immune system. And, of course, your general mood as well. Just don’t forget your sunscreen if you’re going to be out for a while.

3) Don’t stress too much. Got loads of reading to do but really would rather be at your friend’s 21st birthday? It’s okay to sometimes strip work down to just what is absolutely essential and go out and have some fun. Don’t totally blow off your work, of course, but staying too work-focused can cause stress to build up to unhealthy levels and undermine your immune system when you need it working for you most. So put down the pset and go have a good time. Call it a long term investment in your productivity.

4) Eat oranges. Boost the immune system and reduce stress. What’s not to love? Other good stress-busters and immune boosters are almonds, avocados, fish, pistachios, and my personal favourite: tea. Throw some of these into your diet and you should be set for the rest of the spring!

Sources: WebMD, Wikipedia (Vitamin D), and nutrition.about.com