Staying on top of your fitness and healthy eating routine during midterms is no easy task. Sometimes, all it takes is a stressful day of studying and sensory deprivation in the library to make you skip the gym and grab a burger, or take a nap instead.

One easy tip: plan ahead.

It sounds simple, but this crucial piece of advice is often overlooked. When it comes to thinking about what we eat and when we workout, we tend fit those things in on the fly.

I’m talking about that last minute bagel at the coffee cart, or the gym bag that looks a little dusty in the corner of your room. 

One way to quickly plan ahead - and avoid scrambling at the last minute for healthy options - is to think about what you are going to eat and when you can work out for the following day the night before. Make it a bedtime ritual, and plan out your entire day the evening before. If you plan for certain things to happen during your day, it is more likely that they will.

Don't forget to maximize your time potential as well. During peak points in the semester, like midterms, every second of sleep that I can scrounge up is a dream come true, but forgo those few extra minutes in bed early in the morning. Setting your alarm a few minutes earlier to let you prep healthy lunches and think about what you can accomplish during the day will go a long way.

Try to eat breakfast at home, as well, in order to start your day off right and ease into a relaxing afternoon. If you don't have the time for a sit-down breakfast, have some easy to-go options, ready to take with you on your commute. Things like hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, nuts or fruit are all easy and healthy options.

Same goes for lunch or dinner; pack 'em! If you don't have the time every evening to make yourself lunch for the next day, make one day a week your mass-prep day. For example, on Sundays you can batch-cook pieces of chicken so you can add one on top of a salad or on a whole grain sandwich. 

If you’re not going to pack your meals, then know where the healthiest spots on campus are to eat. Do not just go for what is closest; that is when we are tempted to make unhealthy decisions.

When it comes to your workout, it is also important to have everything ready ahead of time.

Research shows that working out before doing schoolwork actually improves your brain function. If you are not a morning person, working out during the day will still help your studies, so try to fit it in as often as possible. 

Taking a break from the midterm shenanigans to add in cardio training or other physical exercise will boost you mood, improve your memory and increase productivity. Alternating strength and cardio workouts is shown to have the biggest benefits when it comes to your brain’s health.

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Courtney Christensen, a graduate student at the University of Southern California and fitness instructor, says group exercise classes is the easiest way to fit in a workout with a busy schedule. 

“Find a couple fitness classes throughout the week, and really make it a commitment to yourself to continue to go to those classes, that way it really holds you to a level of accountability,” says Christensen. “Also have a fitness buddy, that way the two of you can motivate each other.”

Group exercise is also an efficient option because the workout is usually only an hour long and on campus. Taking an hour out of your day to get your heart rate up will not only make you feel more energized, but it will also give your brain the break it so badly needs.

On top of that, group exercise classes can be particularly motivating because you are not alone. If that extra set of abs is really killing you at the end of class, just remember, everyone around you feels the same burn.

Most universities offer group fitness classes at recreational centers, and there are usually several different options and skill levels. 

Some people are nervous to workout in front of others, but Christensen says that is not something to worry about. The first few classes may feel a bit uncomfortable, but the gains greatly outweigh this initial awkwardness. it only takes a couple of classes to get familiarized, but in the process you get to meet new people and have a good time. 

Christensen also reminds us of something very important, that most group exercise class newbies seem to forget: "Keep in mind that everyone in that class is not watching you, they’re all watching the instructor."

Being successful in maintaining healthy habits is similar to being successful in the classroom. Plan ahead, and get into a routine.

Make your meals and your workouts a concrete block of time in your schedule, much like your classes are, and your mind, body and grades will thank you for it later.

Contact Staff Reporter Margaux Farrell here or follow her on Twitter here.