Congratulations, you only have six weeks left of the semester! However, this is the time of the semester where everything and anything happens: tests, papers, projects, applications, deadlines, anxiety. Nearly every college student will agree that April is the most intensive, soul-sucking month. Though it may seem like the universe—and your professors—are against you, there are ways to conquer the stress and not get drenched by April showers.
Prioritize.
Chances are you'll have a mountain of things to do for each class this month. It's the time of year where professors are getting you ready for finals and assigning their most important projects. The key to conquering it all is realizing what needs to be done now and what needs to be done later. That paper may not be due for two more weeks, but if it needs to be 10 pages with six sources, you should probably start now.
Don't cram.
One of my literature professors basically nailed it by saying, "I was in school for a long time, and I can't even read 150 pages of 'Invisible Man' the night before class." Waiting until the night before to do anything—whether it's studying for an exam or writing a paper—is the worst thing you can do for yourself. Your words, likely, won't make sense and you won't retain anything. Make sure to do big assignments in chunks, such as reading 10 pages per day or studying one unit at a time. Set aside time in your schedule to do one small chunk at a time.
Take a break.
April really isn't the month to have a social life, but that doesn't mean that all you have to do is work. Maybe don't go out and party the night before a test, but it's okay to grab lunch with a friend or watch Netflix for an hour or two. Even something as small as getting up and taking a shower will not only wake you up, but let all the information sink into your head better.
Your professor is stressed, too.
It may seem hard to believe, but your professor went to school anywhere from six to 12 years. They know how it feels, even if its been a while. Not only that, but they have that same glaze over their eyes and coffee in their hands because they're stressed, too. They have to grade all of those research papers and projects, as well as focus on their own research that got them hired in the first place. Meet them halfway and they'll give you that extra push. Something as small as asking them about their day or visiting them during their office hours will ease any tension. I promise, professors are much less intimidating outside of class.
Keep smiling.
You're so close to the end! The weather is finally starting to warm up, you can break out the shorts and summer is just around the corner. If you survived the past 10 weeks, you can make it through this last stretch. Keep smiling. Be proud of what you've accomplished and what lies ahead once the semester ends.
