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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UFL chapter.

Set your alarms, collegiettes™ because the biggest shopping day of the year has finally arrived! Black Friday is right around the corner, and it’s sure to be a chaotic day whether you’re working or just shopping. We’ve compiled a list of helpful tips to make sure you’re at the top of your game when those doors open and the shoppers go running.

Tip #1: Scope out the best deals beforehand.
Do your research! The more you know about the products on your wish list, the easier it will be to make your rounds at each location. Start by putting together a list of your top five items and comparing prices at different stores. Most stores put their Black Friday ads out early, so make sure to hunt them down online or in stores.

Tip #2: Get lots of beauty sleep. 
If you plan on surviving Black Friday, make sure to rest up the night before. After stuffing your face with turkey all day, the best plan of action is to hit the hay as soon as you finish dinner. Getting enough sleep will prevent you from being irritable and will give you that extra boost of energy needed to get all of your holiday shopping finished the next day.

Tip #3: Dress comfortably. 
Sweatpants are 100 percent acceptable for Black Friday. This is the only day of the year that it’s socially acceptable to wear them without being shunned. Let’s face it; no one is trying to impress anyone at 3 a.m. in the checkout line at Walmart.

Tip #4: Caffeinate. 
If you hope to keep your spot in line for that precious high-tech LCD flat screen, then make sure to load up on the caffeine. Coffee and energy drinks are great ways to keep your eyes on the prize. Don’t go overboard on the caffeine because it’s can get tricky making trips back and forth to the bathroom.

Tip #5: Bring some entertainment. 
Waiting in line is hands down the worst part of holiday shopping, which is why anything helps to entertain you. There are only so many levels of Candy Crush you can play before you start to lose your mind. Bringing items such as a portable DVD player, cards, or books is a great way to pass the time.

Tip #6: Pack a few snacks 
After Thanksgiving, the last thing on your mind is probably food. But after that food starts to digest, it’s great to have something small to munch on while shopping or waiting in line. Items such as gum, apples, and crackers are great snacks to have on hand while hitting all those sales!

If the thought of Black Friday makes you cringe, don’t forget there’s always online shopping from the comfort of your own home. And for those of you who plan to brave the insanity, good luck, and may the force be with you.

 

Photo credit: 
www.foxbusiness.com

Nicole Germany is a senior at the University of Florida pursuing a degree in magazine journalism. She is currently on track to graduate fall of 2014 and hopes to land a dream job with a major magazine in New York City. Her current roles include writing for Her Campus at the University of Florida, the inspirational-fashion blog, Hello Perfect and is social media director for She's The First UF.Her previous work experience includes writing for the The Independent Florida Alligator and The Black Sheep Magazine. She also volunteered for Gainesville Fashion Week 2013 where she assisted designers by organizing clothes and other materials for the show.Nicole updates her blog weekly with different entertainment, lifestyle and DIY pieces. Her website also contains relevant online clips and short stories.http://nkgermany.wordpress.com  
Cara oversees Her Campus Media's community department and serves as strategic lead for the expansion, development and management of all HCM communities, including the Her Campus Chapter Network, InfluenceHer Collective, College Fashionista, Spoon University, Campus Trendsetters, alumni and high school. She works closely with company leadership to develop new community-related sales offerings and the Integrated Marketing team to support all community-focused client marketing programs from end to end. Cara has experience working with high-profile talent, such as Jessica Alba, Andrew Yang, Amber Tamblyn, Aja Naomi King, Troian Bellisario, Jessica Marie Garcia, Nico Tortorella, Nastia Liukin, Rebecca Minkoff, Cecile Richards and Samantha Power, as well as brands like Coca-Cola, L'Oréal Paris, The New York Times, HBO, Uber, H&M and more. Having been a part of the HC family since 2011, Cara served as Campus Correspondent of the HC chapter at the University of Florida where she studied journalism, women’s studies and leadership. A New Yorker turned Floridian, Cara has a Friends quote for any situation. You can usually find her with her friends and family at the beach, a concert or live sports event or binge-watching Grey's Anatomy or Sons of Anarchy. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @thecararose.