Frazzled and spazzed over the mere mention of finals? Don't be! With our study secrets, you'll breeze right on through....

May I have your attention?

You might think U.S. history is the most boring subject in this hemisphere, but you need to absorb those facts if you're gonna pass the class. You think snoozing through one little review session won't make a bit of difference? Wrong!

Missing your teacher's Freedom of Speech, urn, speech could make or break your GPA, so pay attention. Cliche, we know. But listen to the info your teacher spits out, and be diligent about taking good notes. Sometimes, just the act of jotting stuff down is like etching it onto your brain with a Sharpie.

Study with a buddy

Partnering up with a pal and quizzing each other is a great way to memorize the material you need to know for finals. But if you're thinking of organizing a study group with your girls, reconsider. The group effort might seem like a good idea in theory, but things could backfire.

Having more than a single pal to brain-bounce with can result in less than stellar grades. Why? Because it's tough getting every gal in the crew to stay on the serious-minded track--your study sesh is likely to morph into more of a full-on fun-fest. Stick to one smart-o, study-conscious bud. If you and the study buddy get bored or book-bogged, take a brief break ... but then get right back to business.

One of the biggest mistakes even the most conscientious students make is studying chapter after chapter of information in one sitting. It is better to spread out your study time so you don't go into information overload. This means you should start studying for finals one to two weeks prior. Spend a little time each night going over your material. Also, make sure the area you are studying in is relatively quiet and free of distractions--TV off, please! You'll do better if you park yourself at a secluded spot in your home or at a cubicle in the library.

'Twas the night before ...

Testing, one, two, three ... There are three (count 'em) night-before-finals elements that are essential to your success: 1) Scan your notes to recharge the ol' memory bank. Since you strategically spaced out your study time, you should have no need to do any heavy cramming on Finals Eve. 2) Stay calm. If you get yourself totally stressed out, you are much more likely to make mindless mistakes, like marking the wrong box of a multiple-choice answer. Destress ahead of time by doing something that relaxes you, like a little yoga or an aromatherapy bath. 3) Get to bed early. You should be able to drift off dreamily after that steamy bubble bath. You will wake with a clear and alert brain if you get a good night's worth of Z's--which should translate into A's.

This is just a test

Ready for the Big Day? Remember, finals are very important, but it's not the end of the world ... so think positive. And be prepared! Don't show up for your algebra exam without a No. 2 on you. Also, this is not the time to worry about being best-dressed, so wear comfy clothes. Too-tight clothing can divert your attention away from the test, especially since you'll probably be sitting for a long period of time.

One more crucial piece of advice--it is a must to eat a good breakfast. Set your alarm to give you plenty of time to chow down a decent meal. Research has proven that students who eat before a test score best. Besides, you don't want to sit through a two-hour exam with a growling stomach. Now, are you ready to tackle that test? No sweat!

If there's a craving for pickle juice by high school athletes in the school cafeterias across Wisconsin, we will now know why.

The statewide publication of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, which governs high school sports, recently devoted a quarter-page column by sports dietitian Jane Foos to the merits of preventing muscle cramps by drinking pickle juice.

But it's no magic potion, she wrote. "While giving a sidelined player a shot of pickle juice may or may not relieve a muscle cramp, that player is still out of competition."

As an assistant principal in Deming, Wash., Jeff Pietila was confronted by a group of 20 outraged 7th-grade boys one day. Why, they demanded, if the girls had vending machines in their restrooms couldn't they have the same in theirs?

Presumably the boys thought the girls had access to candy, gum or soda pop. Little did they understand that the girls' machines were actually for feminine hygiene supplies.

It's Nostalgic for Some

Sylvia Lowe, the secretary to Superintendent William Dean in Frederick County, Va., was standing in the ordering line in a Subway sandwich shop when she overheard two high school students discussing what they planned to wear to school on "Back to the '80s Day."

The conversation jolted Lowe to the realization of her advancing years, though she's only in her 50s. "What is it about the '80s that they deserve their own day? I'm still wearing clothes from the '80s!" she exclaimed.

Time Better Spent

Whenever the first sign of snow is in the air, Rebecca Perry always can count on a flurry of beckoning requests to close the schools from students via e-mail.

Perry, superintendent in Alexandria, Va., finds many of the comments amusing, and occasionally she opts to respond as she did after receiving this e-mail message: "Suggestion: CLOSE SCHOOL FRIDAY, we are sick of being the only school open on snow days, st stephens is allready off and i'm not surprized if more are, please dear god just close school."

Perry's reply: "I am not God, you are going to school, and your spelling seems to indicate that you need to stay a little bit longer."

(Source: The Washington Post)

A Costly Game of Hooky

Parental collusion on student absenteeism has become such a festering sore in Great Britain that the government recently proposed legislation granting school principals the right to levy fines.

Parents of chronically missing students could be subject to fines of up to 2,500 pounds, or $3,900 at the current exchange rate.

The national government estimates that 50,000 students skip school each day without parental permission.

A Unique Reply

When: Parent-teacher conference day, a month or so into the school year.

Where: Dolphin Senior Public School in Mississauga, Ontario

The Players: A veteran science teacher and two parents with their son

Action: The teacher, fatigued after a long day of meetings throughout the afternoon and evening, welcomes the parents of a particularly lazy student into his classroom. "Why is my son doing so poorly?" one parent demands at the outset.

"It's the pissing mieces of work!" the teacher answers in true spoonerism style.

The parents and their son, stunned by what they've heard, don't bat an eye, pause briefly and continue on with their interview as if the faux pas never was uttered.

(Submitted by Rod Murray, Dolphin Senior Public School)

May All His Days Be Fabulous

"We get to line up to go to the bathroom and wash our hands and take naps. We get to learn the calendar and how to write our names. I want homework, lots of homework. Hard homework. I want to learn everything." -- A kindergarten student at Concord Elementary School in Paducah, Ky., sizing up his first day of school.

So you're workin' up a sweat? That doesn't mean you can't work your look while you're at it. Being sporty does present a girl with certain beauty challenges, but there's no reason you can't look adorable while you're gettin' your game on.

STAY SUN SMART

SPF is a must for protection from the sun, even in the fall and early winter months. But when you are hitting the field, the last thing you want is to slather on heavy cream that will melt by second quarter. Neutrogena Active Breathable Sunblock ($10, drugstores) absorbs oil and feels extra light.

When doing the jock thing, skip foundation, which will slide right off your face like a boarder off a cliff when you get all sweaty. If you need a little coverage on the field, opt instead for a tinted moisturizer, then dust a pressed powder over your nose and forehead to keep you dry. We're rooting for Murad's Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 15 for Face in Sheer Tint ($22, murad.com) since it stays sweat-proof for over an hour.

Can't deal without a little cuteness? We have two words for you: waterproof mascara. A single coat on your lashes is enough to give your eyes some definition. And, as a bonus, it won't drip down your cheeks while you're dribbling down the court. If you want to really get girly, use an eyelash curler for lusher-looking lashes. Physicians Formula ExercEyes Mascara ($7, drugstores) scores for its lash-building and sealing waterproof layers. Want to really get into the spirit? Many waterproof mascaras come in shades like green, blue or purple to match your team colors! Go for Too Faced Liquid Lava Mascara in Violet Lava

LIP SERVICE

If you hate going without lip color, here's a great trick. Line and fill in lips with a N.Y.C. Waterproof Lip Pencil ($4, drugstores). Make sure it's in a shade as close to your natural lip color as possible. If you're playing outside, top your pencil with a protective balm like Sun Smackers Trio ($4.50, drugstores). Whatever you do, skip the lipstick and gloss when you're getting all sporty. Lipstick just looks weird when you're working out, and lip gloss is a waste of time since it will disappear the second you start to sweat.

DON'T COMMIT A FACE FOUL

When you're being track 'n' fieldy, keep your hands away from your face as much as possible. Your fingers pick up oil, dirt and bacteria (Dick!) that aggravate zits. Every time you touch your face after picking up sporting equipment or patting a sweaty teammate on the back, you are transferring all that nasty stuff. Ew. Also, be sure to wash headbands, towels and sports clothing after every use. Those breed bacteria, too!

HAIR TODAY, ZITS TOMORROW

Want to banish bacne (breakouts on your back and shoulders) this season? Keep your hair off your neck and back as much as possible. Oh, and steer clear of conditioners with panthenol, says Renee Rouleau of the Renee Roulcau Skin Spa in Dallas. It's a pore clogger.

HIT THE SHOWERS

No matter how tired you are, don't skip your post-game shower. Exercise cranks up perspiration, leading to prime conditions for a zit reaction. Know how your skin gets salty when it's sweaty? Not showering allows those salts to dry, leading to scaly body skin. Playing away and can't miss the bus? Towel off, and shake on baby powder to absorb wetness. Next, swipe your face with non-foaming Noxzema Wet Cleansing Cloths (84, drugstores) to mop up dirt, sweat and oil. Revive your sweat-soaked hair with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol-free toner. Run it along your hairline to sop up excess sweat. Now, go celebrate your victory looking fabulous!

Q&A

My ponytail always comes loose during games. What works?

A weak hair tie is definitely at fault here. Trade up to a heavier one like Goody's StayPut high performance hair bands ($5, Target). Each band has rows of treading to qrip hair and keep it from rolling out of place. The bands come in thin, large and jumbo elastics to handle the finest strands to thick hair. For extra-thick or long hair, double up.

KEEPING ACTIVE SKIN CLEAN AND CLEAR

* Don't overwash. Using cleansing products more than twice a day can cause your skin to pump out extra oil, which leads to breakouts.

* Read labels. Rouleau advises, "Avoid drying ingredients like sodium laureth." Opt instead for a low-foam cleanser like Lumene Matte Touch Balancing Cleansing Gel ($8, CVS).

NEW YORK -- Due to school restrictions, it's difficult to make uniforms fashion forward, but that doesn't mean they can't be fashion friendly. Uniform companies are modifying the hottest apparel looks and bringing them into the classroom this season.

"We have wrap skirts and skorts and peasant-inspired blouses that could also be paired with a pair of jeans;' said Gigi Perkins, marketing coordinator for French Toast.

Three stylish French Toast uniform options include a girls' cable front duster sweater with a longer thigh-length, rounded collar and flat-knit tie waist belt; a boy's cell phone pocket pant, featuring a mobile device pocket on the back right leg; and the girls' hooded capelet, with cable-knit, large front buttons and fringe trim.

Dickies' popular, more trend-driven items for fall include a girls' tie-back interlock top, with cap sleeves, tie-back bodice and empire waist; a girls' long carpenter skirt with front side pockets and a girls' inverted pleat skirt. Dickies also has its own boys' version of the cell phone pocket pant new for boys.

Durability and fit are two other important factors for uniforms, according to Rick Crosland, gm of school uniforms for Dickies.

"Every season, we make sure we are up to date in how garments should fit," Crosland said. "We also evaluate the garment's performance. We evaluate what the garment might need and do our best to give it those attributes."

Key features in Dickies uniform pieces include stain release finishing, wrinkle resistance and micro-sanded fabric for increased softness. A hot fabric for girls' uniforms this year has been stretch twill, Crosland said.

French Toast's pieces include similar fabric finishes, including a Teflon-French shield stain protector. These finishes allow for more comfortable, fashionable uniforms, according to Perkins.

"People tend to think of uniforms as formalized, crunchy and wooly," Perkins said. "But the troth is with these new fabric finishes, our uniforms are breathable and are just as durable."