Everyone wants to be smarter. Some people are like human encyclopedias and retain everything they learn. For the rest of us, constant studying before a test are part of the syllabus. With midterms and finals, our brains are on overdrive to make it through to the end of the semester.

Rose Marcelino, 22, has been working as a child guidance assistant at a San Francisco preschool for over two years and believes that a person's intelligence starts from a young age. She is a child development major at San Francisco State University and has been able to see how children tend to learn. "Your IQ has everything to do with the way you're raised," said Marcelino.

Since brain transplants are not yet possible and quitting school is out of the question, here are a few strategies to improve your IQ.

Decrease Alcohol Intake

Next time you party, leave the alcohol on the table. It might help you forget about your problems, but you are losing more than you might want to in the process. The feeling of euphoria, or a "buzz," is actually the result of brain cells dying. Once they are gone, they are gone forever. So cut back a little on alcohol especially before a test. Your brain will thank you.

Facebook It!

Even though you probably are on Facebook when you are supposed to be studying, now you do not have to feel as guilty. According to Dr. Tracy Alloway from the University of Stirling in Scotland, it helps your memory. He argues it does so by keeping you alert through keeping up with your friends' updates and news. However, he does not feel the same way towards Twitter, stating its short-form communication does not engage your brain the same way.

Start Chewing

Whenever you chew gum, you make your brain more alert. The blood flow to the motor cortex is increased and tricks the brain into thinking you are going to eat. This starts insulin production, making the cerebral glucose levels go up along with your brain power. It might be time to break open that Big League Chew.

The Notorious M.O.Z.A.R.T.

Instead of Britney Spears, put on some Mozart to improve your intelligence. Listening to Mozart's "Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major" for ten minutes increases brain power, according to a University of California Irvine study. The music improves cognition and can increase test scores.

Take A Break!

One simple thing to increase your smarts is to take a break. Studying for hours on end and staring at a book or a computer screen can leave you feeling drained. Instead, go watch a movie or a television show. Call a friend to go out and grab something to eat. Just do anything to get away from studying for a while.

Turn That Television Off!

Minimizing the amount of television viewing time can increase your alertness and help you retain information. Staring at the television puts your brain in non-active, "vegetable" mode. Once you shut it off and go to study, your brain is not as retentive. Keep the television watching at a minimum and you will see a difference.

Eat Fish!

Next time you are buying groceries or at a restaurant, go for the salmon over steak. Fish increases the speed of your brain waves significantly. Not only do the fish oils like Omega 3 increase your smarts but they can help in the long run. They combat mental disorders such as dementia and schizophrenia. You can get a higher test score on your final and help fight off dementia all in one shot, which is great so long as fish is eaten in moderation.

Manage Your Coffee Intake

Coffee has become more of a commodity than ever. It is no longer just part of a morning's wake up, as franchises such as Starbucks have made it part of our culture. Having moderate intakes of caffeine improves your short term memory. But taking too much caffeine can have long-term effects, such as fatigue and depression. Finding a balance is key.

Game On!

You can increase your IQ by playing games. Minds can be stimulated with games like Nintendo DS' Brain Age that has puzzles and mind challenges. Games like Sudoku and crossword puzzles create a workout for your brain. Whatever game you choose to play, make sure it is challenging. You might end up not only feeding your brain, but your inner child as well. [X]