For two weeks, life as we know it will grind to a screeching halt as students spend countless hours cramming for end-of-year exams.

But amid this wasteland of studying, it’s important to at least get a little time to yourself, take a quick break and get your mind off the cruel future that undoubtedly awaits.

Sports fits this bill like a glove.

Playing, watching or even talking about sports can be a great way to get your mind off things and take a breather before plunging back into the abyss of studying.

Can’t get away from that looming geography final? A quick game of catch will clear those depressing thoughts right out.

Freaking out about a political science test that can make or break the semester? Take a nice jog. I guarantee a good run will rid you of test thoughts and leave you thinking “Air! Give me air!”

Personally, I will be using sports to great advantage this semester. Unfortunately, my studying has already begun and it will no doubt continue throughout the weekend. In the middle of four different, multi-layered study guides and three currently unwritten term papers, I will be taking a much-needed break.

Gonna watch me some Niners football.

You see, with the Niners-Bucs game this Sunday, not only get to watch a pivotal game that may determine NFL playoff pairings, I get to give myself the ideal mental break. For a few hours I can get away from finals and get into smash-mouth, hard-headed athletes tearing into each other to determine which side will be victorious.

Gotta love football.

So, as you hunker down into your studies these next couple of weeks, be sure to make some time for yourself. And don’t feel bad when you do. Even the greats hit the locker room when halftime rolls around.

Nick Woodard can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWoodard25