Finals week is coming. The three-hour exams, the 10-page papers and the projects we’ve barely started are almost upon us. Since most NC State students are completely stressed out and crying in a corner, we need to find a way to relieve our stress.

Luckily, the holidays are also almost upon us, and what better way to get ourselves into the festive spirit than to have a Secret Santa between a group of friends. Students should host a Secret Santa between their friends before or during finals week, which can allow them to relax during these stressful times, increasing the likelihood that students will be more successful in their finals.

As we all know, stress can hinder students from being academically successful. Although stress can be a motivating factor, too much stress can inhibit a student’s productivity and cause them to make more mistakes. When most students are studying for a three-hour exam or writing a paper, they need to remain focused in order to receive a good grade. A Secret Santa between a group of friends provides students with an outlet to relax, which can help them focus and be more productive during finals week.

Furthermore, Secret Santas can boost student morale. Harvard Graduate School of Education lecturer Christina Hinton partnered with St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, which teaches grades K-12, to find through her research that happiness in students is positively associated with higher academic performance.

During the exasperating times of finals week, most NC State students are stressed out of their minds, and they need something to boost their morale. Having a Secret Santa can encourage students to hang out with their friends, which will make them happy, increasing the likelihood that they will be successful in their finals.

Finally, a Secret Santa can improve friendships between students. A Secret Santa encourages students to learn more about their friends. Giving a gift that a friend will like can strengthen a bond between two students. Not only will this relax and boost morale in students, but will also give them a better college experience.

Now, before students prepare their own Secret Santas, here is some advice to ensure it is successful. The first thing to do is to set a price limit on the gifts. This prevents the event from being a financial burden on some students. The second thing students should do is buy generic gift items. Personal items like clothing or perfume can make a friend feel uncomfortable, which can ruin the entire event. Finally, students should not force their friends to participate in a Secret Santa, as friends should never force each other to do things they are uncomfortable with.

Overall, students should participate in a Secret Santa between their groups of friends. Secret Santas can provide an outlet for students to relax and boost their morale, which will help them succeed in their finals. Students should also set financial limits, not buy personal items and not force their friends into doing a Secret Santa. So come on students, let’s get into a holiday spirit and ace our finals.