It’s the most wonderful time of the year— except for the fact that you’re at the top of Santa’s Naughty List.  Coal definitely isn’t something you put on your wish list this year but we both know you’ll be getting a lot of it.  Luckily it’s not too late to trick Santa into thinking you walk around with a halo on top of your head.  Here are some ways to redeem yourself.

Stay clear of your exes. You’ll be home for the holidays and so will all of the sexy beasts you left heartbroken back in high school.  Sure, you may be a little lonely stuck at home drinking eggnog and watching “Elf” every night with your cat (I know I will be), but that’s no excuse to be a Christmas break booty call.

Don’t be a Grinch. Christmas shopping for family and friends is always fun. Dad gets a nice Hawaiian shirt, Mom gets a cheese grater, your besties get posters of a shirtless Zac Efron, and you get new jeans, a purse, sunglasses…wait, what?!  Don’t be a gift slut.  I know it’s hard to shop solely for other people with all of the good deals out there, but try to limit the things you buy for yourself.  Plus, if you get everything you want before Christmas, what’s everyone else going to get you?  A freakin’ Shake Weight?

Don’t be “that girl” at the party. There’s bound to be plenty of holiday parties over break full of ugly sweaters, mistletoe, and lots of Christmas cheer.  Since you’ll probably be bumping into old classmates you haven’t seen in awhile and douchey boys that may have turned you down back in the day, you’re obviously going to want to impress them. Show them what they missed out on. And you will!  Drink a reasonable amount, flirt a little, have fun.  Just please don’t be the girl that ends up totally sloshed, facedown in a plate of fruitcake.

Leave extra cookies and milk. With how naughty you’ve been, it’s probably a good idea to fill Santa’s belly a little bit more this year.  Yes, I’m saying you need to suck up. Big time.

I can’t make any promises, but if you follow these guidelines, Santa will be sure to drop a couple “ho’s” off the end of your title this year.

Winter break = endless hours of reading for pleasure. Pure bliss.

Woo! Winter break! No class! No studying! Just TV marathons, home cooked meals and snuggle time with the family pooch.

What’s not to love? OK, so sometimes the family can be a little much, but that’s a small price to pay for the heaps of free stuff you’ll be taking back to campus with you come January.

In honor of the best 2-4 weeks of the year I asked the CollegeCandy writers what they love most about Winter Break. What’s your favorite thing? Share it in the comments section below!

Alex K – Lakehead University: I just enjoy the time off! I work at my school and my school is closed so I have almost three solid weeks off. Once I get myself out of exam mode it is BLISS!

Cristina – Michigan State University:  I absolutely love hopping in my Jeep and blasting music and singing along while driving to the mall.  It’s so much better than my iPod walking to class.

Thu – USC: Seeing all of my friends again and creating new memories.

Erica – Kent State: My favorite thing?  The fact that at my parents house I don’t have to climb five flights of stairs to get to my room.

Caitlin – University of Alabama: I love not having to think about classes for a whole month! It’s nice to give my brain a break.

Brittany – University of St. Thomas: Oh Winter Break, how I love thee. From spending 60% of my time standing in front of a fully stocked refrigerator, and 40% of my time horizontal on my couch, how could I complain?

Lauren – University of Michigan: Well, it used to be the family vacations to tropical locations. Now it’s the mom/daughter trips to the mall. Mostly because my mom misses taking me shopping and tends to go a little overboard.

Sara C – Fordham: My favorite part of winter break is being able to wake up each morning with nothing to do but go for a run, make some hot cocoa, and read a good book! Damn, I wish someone would pay me to do this!

Meg – Penn State: As far as my favorite part of being home is definitely the homemade food and being able to drive!

Zahra- Northwestern University: My favorite thing about winter break is seeing all my friends from high school and realizing we’ve moved past the stupid drama!

Noa – CU Boulder: Hanging out with my family. And my high school friend with benefits. Just not at the same time.

Emmy – Loyola University Chicago: I love all the home baked cookies and my Grandma’s fudge! Best part!

Sarabeth – University of Texas: I’m not seeing my family for the holidays, so my favorite thing is being able to actually eat the christmas cookies I bake because my family isn’t around to steal them.

Charlsie – Hollins University: My favorite thing about Winter Break is sleeping in and not feeling guilty about it.

Kim – Stanford: My favorite thing about being home for the holidays is finally being 21 and drinking inappropriate amounts of alcohol at inappropriate times like a family friend’s Christmas party or right before the Christmas Eve church services.

Brithny- Duke: Finally getting off campus and traveling up north where there is actual wintery weather during the winter season (for the Southerners, I mean such things as snow and icicles and all that).

Katie – Michigan State University: My favorite thing is living essentially free! I don’t have to pay for food, rent, art supplies, drinks, or even gas. Ah, wonderful parents and grandparents

All that stress has probably caused you to break out, which only causes you to stress more about the nasty bumps on your face and find a way to get rid of them—which doesn’t exist for that pesky mutant acne that’s everywhere now.

I know all this makes you feel like crying, but before you run out and rent some guaranteed tear jerkers and sit at home all weekend watching them while eating a whole tub of Häagen-Dazs®, think about all the great stuff that happened this week that’s sure to cheer you up.

Instead of crying, call up everyone you know and go out tonight!  If you think you have nothing to wear, maybe you can dress up that black T-shirt hanging in the back of your closet in a new way.  Or grab your girlfriends for a shopping trip to spend your tax refund!  You could splurge on a great new tote, or get more for your money with cute new stuff from Target.

Still feel like staying in?  At least do something that will perk you up.  Search the internet for some great new music, make a bet to lose weight before summer officially hits, or laugh at some hilarious Yahoo! Answers questions. The semester coming to an end and papers and final exams looming in the not-so-distant future can only add to the stress you’re already feeling. But cheer up: summer’s almost here!

I know it’s hard to stay on track, especially when you’re only thinking about the months of freedom, days at the beach and (finally!) reading for pleasure, but snap out of it! You’ve worked too hard all year to eff it all up now.

If you want to spend the summer lounging by a pool (or in your front yard with the roomies) and not re-taking that Econ class, heed my advice:

1. STAY Organized: I don’t know about you all, but my room has certainly gotten messy. However, the minute I took the time to organize it the way I did when I got back from winter break, I immediately felt less stressed out. Having an organized work space makes you focus better, so take the time to reorganize if you’re room has gotten out of hand.

2. Calendar EVERYTHING: I have this big dry erase wall calendar that I write everything down on. Hopefully you have one of these, and if you didn’t get one at the beginning of this semester, I suggest you invest in one NOW. When you write things down it helps you remember them. It’s a very easy way to keep track of tests and quizzes that are on your syllabus. Also make sure to put birthdays on there, especially your roommates. Forgetting a roommate’s birthday could be fatal. (They do know where you live…)

3. Communicate With Your Professors: You probably skipped a few classes by now just because you didn’t want to go (or you feared barfing on your desk), but this shouldn’t worry you. A lot of professors will be more lenient if you send them an email notifying them you won’t be there, and if you want to claim you have food poisoning from that take-out you had last night it usually works. The more you communicate with your professors, the more they notice you and show respect for you. They are there to help you, so don’t be afraid to ask them questions before or after class. If you’re too intimidated to talk to them in person, send them an email. You’ll be surprised how helpful they can be.

4. Read: A lot of times, we just look at our notes from class before the test and then are surprised when we don’t do so hot. READ the chapters. You will encounter the occasional professor that only puts things on the test from their power points and study guide, but there are also professors who ask questions from the book. Even if you just skim the chapters, it not only reinforces the notes, but you will do a lot better on your tests.

5. Get Ahead: If you find yourself with a little extra free time, do some homework that’s not due for a few days. Start outlining an upcoming paper. Read another chapter. As the end of the year approaches lots of little things (drinking outside!) pop up. Working ahead when you have the time is the best way to stay stress-free and open up some time to do the things you want to do.

6. Save Time for YOU: Set aside an hour or so a day just for you, whether you want to go work out, take a nap or read a book. Don’t study or do homework, just relax. It will keep you stress-free and content. And if your “you time” involves margaritas or a glass of wine, so be it.

Do you have any tips for staying on top of it? Let us know!

Ready for Spring Break? Yes, I am even talking to the 50% of you college students who are staying home this year. And why not? You don’t have to be off in Mexico doing really stupid things to have a good time. You’ve all been working hard and everyone deserves a little down time to let loose with a good book or an even better playlist.

Just because there is a little recession doesn’t mean you can’t have fun too. Or get a tan (and some D). Or, if nothing else, see a really bad movie.

If you are leaving town, don’t forget the essentials to take, the things you absolutely should not take, and the souvenirs you must bring home. And make sure to bring along the beach bag. God forbid you should be stuck on a tropical beach without your Blackberry, Us Weekly, and extra swimsuit.

Oh, and be sure to brush up on everything you need to know about Spring Break survival. Like the fact that everything that happens on Spring Break makes it way back to campus…with tons of exaggeration. Including STIs.

Don’t make the same mistakes we did in the past and be prepared. With a hot body and a cute dress.

It is all cheesy movie marathons, holiday jams, catching up on magazines, and heavy carbs for the next few weeks. No more frozen ears walking to class, IM fighting with the roommate who never does her dishes, or long nights in the freaking library. (Although, I really can’t complain that much; at least I’m not this girl.)

And maybe I can finally get over that dude who is so not into me and have me a little holiday fling. That would be nice.

I do have one thing to worry about, though, and that is what the hell to get my parents. Maybe my dad will want the new Burger King cologne? And maybe some makeup brushes for mom? Definitely not the female condom. Ew.

I could just win that sweet new AT&T Palm Centro and give it to one of them. Wait, I want that one for myself. After all, after a week like mine, I deserve it.

Sure, it seems overwhelming; sure, sometimes you want to break down and cry; but at the end of the day, you love what you do, and you’re proud of the fact that you can accomplish an exponential amount more than most mortals. And you know that everything you do will benefit you in the long run.

I love to feel useful, so it’s always been hard for me to say “no” to picking up an extra shift, or doing an extra project. When I was in high school, I worked part time, was active in drama club, cheerleading, amnesty international, gay/straight alliance, dance classes, and, senior year, I edited the yearbook. And I did it all while making honor roll each semester. In college, I wasn’t so active in extra-curriculars, but I held down two restaurant jobs, took a full course load, and partied my face off, while making Dean’s List. You can call me a nerd; I just think I have a severe case of ADHD that’s never been officially diagnosed.

That said, Wonder Woman, I know the meaning of stress, and I know the importance of staying organized. Here are some of my own personal life-saving tips.

1. Write everything down.

In fact, write everything down multiple times. I feel relaxed just by rifling through my brain and coming up with a list of what needs to get done, and when. Carry a planner, so you don’t have to rack your brain if someone asks what you’re doing Saturday, November 15 at 3:30 p.m. Tape a list of upcoming homework assignments next to your bed, and cross off each completed task when you’re finished. Instead of doodling during a boring lecture, write the list over again, and come to grips with what projects are the most urgent (eg. you need to start them NOW).

2. Use every minute of free time.

Have a half-hour break between classes? Email your professor while you scarf that bagel. Do that “busy-work” assignment that’s been in the back of your head – the one that’s so simple you can’t bring yourself to start it. Lunch break at work? Bring your English book and read a chapter instead of gossiping in the smoking lounge (and by smoking lounge, I obviously mean that obscure space outside the back door where everyone huddles around a butt can). You’d be surprised how much you can get done in little intervals… and you might even find that you’ve suddenly got a large interval of time to spare.

3. Condense Your Tools.

When you’re on the go, forgetting one thing can ruin your day and cause a mega-meltdown. Instead of having a folder, a binder, and a notebook for each class, get a five-subject notebook and one of those accordion folders with dividers for handouts. You’ll only need to grab the same two things each day. Plus, instead of having an assignment book, a date book, and all that fancy shmancy stuff, grab a planner that has a section for everything you might need, all in one. Still not efficient enough? Try…

4. Using Technology to Your Advantage.

My favorite tool on my Macbook? The “Stickies” application. I have notes open (in all different colors, of course), for my banking and credit card info, upcoming assignments, important email addresses, etc. As long as you have your computer, you’ll never lose them or accidentally throw them out; they’re easier to manage than rifling through a hundred pages to find one reminder; and they can conveniently disappear behind your Microsoft Word or Firefox windows, OR you can set them as a “floating window” so they’re always visible. Blackberries, iPhones, and other digital instruments can work to your advantage, and send you preset reminders so you never forget.

5. Stay clean.

This is the most difficult for me, a self-proclaimed slob and packrat. But if your papers are all over your desk, you’re not going to find your Spanish notes before the exam. Hell, even if your clothes are scattered on the floor, you might freak out if you can’t find the blouse you just NEED to wear for your business class presentation. Knowing where everything is, and how to locate it will make things a thousand times easier for you, and, in a crunch, you can probably get help from your roommate, friend, or a family member (such as when you’re stuck in bumper to bumper traffic but have to hand in an essay in twenty minutes, and your dear, sweet, darling roommate agrees to find your USB stick, print your essay on her computer, and meet you outside your dorm to pass it off as you spring to your deadline).

6. Plan ahead.

Finished everything for today? It might be easy to crash on the couch and watch SoapNet reruns for hours, just so you don’t have to think. But then you might be stressed again tomorrow. Look at your calendar, and see if there’s anything you can get a jump start on, or anything you can work on now to give yourself time to party like a rockstar on Saturday. Forcing yourself to work when you’re beat might seem like cruel and unusual self-discipline, but as a fellow workaholic, I can affirm: we did this to ourselves.

7. Take Time to Recharge.

Sure, I just said to plan ahead. And you should, if you’re up for it. But if you can barely keep your eyes open, it’s time for a nap; even if you still have one more little thing to do today. Running yourself into the ground will have drastic consequences, including sloppy work and a bitchy attitude. Besides, if you are a stellar multi-tasker, you’ll learn to plan ahead your time to recharge. Look at your calendar- if you know you have back-to-back midterms, a twenty-page paper due, and a monthly meeting, it won’t kill you to take a shift off from work. Or, if you’re on top of your game in class, you can use your free skip day when you know you won’t be missing much, and rest up with little guilt. People as busy as we are can appreciate every minute of free time, so if you treat yourself to an unexpected break, even a half-day can feel like a million years.

These are my own personal tricks to staying collected even when I feel like I’m on the brink of erupting in a volcano of anxiety. On the bright side, the waves of stress come and go, I’m NEVER bored, and at the end of the day, I can sit back and see a variety of products that I made happen. People ask me if I’m on crack, and I’m not. Just a billion milligrams of caffeine. And I wouldn’t change my lifestyle for the world.

How do all the other supergirls of the world deal with their hectic schedules?

[Photo courtesy of www.crystalcreekproducts.com]