All-nighters, cramming and stress -- these are words that many students associate with finals.

The often-dreaded week is quickly approaching, but Mary Anne Knapp, clinical coordinator at the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), said students might be more successful if they eliminate these words from their vocabulary during the next two weeks.

"There's a way of thinking about exams: Students should care about their exams, but not too much. It's important to find motivation without it turning into stress," Knapp said.

Knapp also offers advice that many students might have heard in past semesters.

As a regular rule, people need six to eight hours of sleep, she said.

"Studies have shown recall is decreased with less sleep, so pulling an all-nighter might not prove beneficial," Knapp said.

It is also important to eat balanced, healthy meals in regular increments. Knapp recommends a diet of protein and complex carbohydrates and eating junk food in moderation. She said it's okay to splurge and eat that one candy bar, but don't over-indulge by eating only things that are going to "completely jerk your body."

Knapp recommends students pace themselves and have something to look forward to. She suggests going to a movie or reading a magazine as release from studying.

She also said it is important to have some way to energize and discharge stress by engaging in some form of exercise or physical activity.

Michelle Rockower, a strength coach assistant and facilities coordinator at the White Building, said, "Exercise is just overall good for you well-being. It provides an outlet for energy and boosts self-esteem."

Rockower also said a lot of exercises would actually relax the muscles, especially if stretching is included at the end.

She suggested some fitness classes that are geared more toward stress-relief, such as yoga and mind/body classes.

Students can also improve their approach to finals with some tips that will be offered this week in a program called "Coping with Stress for Exams."

Ken Nafziger, staff psychologist at CAPS, along with Randy Patterson, graduate assistant, will present tips to students focusing on improving study habits attitudes as they enter into exam week.

"We're going to focus on mainly commonsensical issues; there are coping mechanisms students can do to relieve stress and it is very helpful for them to think about them," Nafziger said.

The program will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday in 129C HUB-Robeson Center. It is expected to last about an hour, with a 15 to 20 minute discussion and question-and-answer period at the end.

Knapp offered a key piece of advice for students to keep in mind when studying for finals: "They need to be realistic and decide where their focus will be most beneficial; study smarter rather than harder."