Conducting exercises provides a critical bridge between the theory of an Emergency Action Plan and its effective implementation. When conducted properly, exercises can fill the gap between training and after-action review to close the preparedness loop--before an actual emergency occurs. Often exercises are planned and conducted on campus based on the most recent incident or the expertise and interest of the exercise planner. Colleges and universities must develop exercise plans based on institutional priorities and threat and risk, then used to test and validate response plans. The process should be formalized. This article illustrates how the process of using exercises will go "full circle" to update plans and make campuses safer. (Contains 1 figure.)