With Thanksgiving Break less than a week away (probably a few days when this is published) the final stretch of the Fall Semester is coming closer and closer. With this being my third year of college, I know firsthand from experience that this is the most stressful part of the whole semester. With final exams, big papers, projects or portfolios all due the same week on the same day, I know it can be very stressful. Some us reach that point where we just want to give up and don't believe that we can make it til the end. But I am here to tell you that you will make it to the finish line and you will survive the race. I know this because I have ran this race twice already and I have survived both times, barely, but I did survive. From these experiences, I have learned five very useful things that helped get me through finals week and I want to share them with all of you and let them help you.
5. Remember that you are almost finished.
It's called the Final Stretch for a reason. The semester is almost over. Don't always think of that in a negative way. Once you finish that final or hand in that eight page paper, all your hard work has paid off and you are finished with it all. You will be able to take a deep breath and that sigh of relief is the best feeling you will have all semester. It may be a lot of work but don't let that get to you. Remember that all that work will get done and once it's done, it is done. No more papers, no more exams, no more three hour lectures, nothing. Keep running and cross that finish line and allow yourself to take that sigh of relief that you deserve.
4. Don't try to do it all at once.
Like I said before, it may be a lot of work, but that does not mean it has to all get done at once. Yes some exams and papers are due on the same day but you get your final exam schedule at the very beginning so take advantage of that. Plan ahead. If you have a test and a paper for two different classes due on the same day, plan to study one day and plan on writing that paper another day. Space out your work as much as you can. Being a procrastinator myself, I know the one the thing to NOT do... Do not wait until the last minute to get it all done. Trust me it will not end well. If you space all the work out, it won't seem like that much after a while. It takes stress off of yourself and allows you to do the best that you can for each class.
3. Give yourself a break.
Remember that while all that work does need to get done, don't do it at your own expense. Give yourself a break every now and then. If you get writer's block on a paper, take a break from it. If your brain is completely fried from memorizing all those math equations, give your brain a break from it. Catch some sleep. I know some people like to pull all nighters to prepare for a test but is it worth it if you're too tired to function the next morning? Trust yourself that the work will get done and not let your schoolwork become your whole life. Find some time for yourself. Catch some sleep. And most importantly be confident in yourself that you will pass and don't work yourself to death to get that A.
2. Enjoy the semester while you still can.
I said above remember that you are almost done. That does not only apply to all the work that school gives you but it also applies to everything else. Once the semester ends classes are not the only things that end. Those late night hang outs with your roommate(s) end, as well as those late night food runs. Those conversations making fun of your professor with your classmates. The freedom of college and the perks that come with it all come to an end and everyone goes home for the whole month of break. That is why you should take advantage of the time you have left. In between studying and writing papers, find time to hang with your friends. There is more to college than just school work, it's also a time to be enjoyed.
1. Winter Break is almost here.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is almost here! All that hard work is finally behind you and it is almost time to head home and reunite with friends and family. And best of all you get a nice long break from all that classwork that was stressing you out to begin with. Now you can just relax and enjoy life without having to worry about whether or not you are gonna skip your 8 a.m. class. If finishing your final is the finish line, then Winter Break is the trophy you get for a job well done. I know for me it is always my motivation for getting everything done and it also my light at the end of the tunnel when I start to get stressed. Whenever you find yourself really stressed out, just remember and say to yourself, "It's almost Winter Break, it's almost Winter Break." It is the biggest thing to look forward to in the final stretch of the Fall Semester and don't ever let yourself forget that.
As everyone prepares to gear up for the end of the semester, I hope you are all able to take those five things and let them help you the same way they helped me. Finals week is very stressful but we have the power to control how it affects us. We can either let it get the best of us or we can get the best of it. I wish everyone luck in the final stretch of the semester and I can't wait to see you all on the other side!!
