"You are what you eat." That's a phrase I've heard my whole life, but it isn't a mantra that governed my diet during final exam preparation. Study fuel was whatever I could inhale within 5 minutes in front of books or a steering wheel. Greasy, fried, or half-baked... So long as it didn't make noises or move, the food was in my belly and I was back on the bandwagon.

But your brain requires healthy eating for healthy functioning just like the rest of your body. That's where these tips come in. Make sure to get plenty of vitamins and essential minerals in your diet. Iron and Vitamin B, for example, help improve memory and cognitive functions. From the perspective of a student, cereal is great to fill this need. Grab a bowl of fortified Fruit Loops for a boost of necessary vitamins. Chili works great too (beef has lots of iron).

Eat smaller snacks throughout the day instead of a few big meals. The more you put in your stomach at a single given time, the more your body has to work to digest it. This can make you sluggish while your body tries to metabolize all that grub. Consider bananas with a bit of peanut butter, or stir fry with frozen veggies (they're cheap and really easy to prepare). The general idea is to avoid eating so much that you feel compelled to hibernate. There are some more great tips here and here. Good luck!