With the end of the semester right in front of us we start to worry about every little thing that we do. As students, our lives depend on the grade we receive in each class and whether or not we actually learned something valuable. We go through the entire semester stressing about every single project no matter how big or small. We spend our nights working on papers and staring at computers rather than sleeping or hanging out with friends. Some of us even spend our weekends inside, alone or at home working on something that is due Monday or sometime within the next week. But the further we get into the semester the more stressed we get, the more projects that are due, and the more we forget how to live. How can we live by only doing the work and without rewarding ourselves with some fun at the end of each week? How can we go day by day thinking that the only important thing is to get that A, that 4.0 or that feeling that we get when something is done and turned in? Why don't we reward ourselves more often?

Students should always reward themselves even if it's the smallest achievement. Rewarding ourselves can boost our spirits, it can help us get through something difficult whether it be a task or something personal, and it can help us feel like we've done something right. So what's wrong with that? Nothing. There's nothing wrong with rewarding ourselves, buying ourselves something to feel better, or just doing something to make us feel like we did it right. I say, reward yourself as much as you can. Ya know, without going broke. But don't reward yourself just because, do it because you've worked so hard to get where you are today. Do it because this semester sucked and you and everyone else knows it.

The end of the semester is always full of highs and lows. When you look back at this semester remember the highs but don't forget some lows. Sometimes the lows are what got to the highs and the highs are what got you through the lows. Remember that you are human, you make mistakes, you forget to turn things in and let's face it you get busy. And if you’re involved with an organization or other extra activities always remember that you are a student first, your grades matter more than any organization you are involved with.

So, if you're graduating this semester think back on your highs and lows. Think back on what got you through this semester, whether it was tough or not. And if you're not graduating still look back on everything you accomplished to get this far. End of the semester is right around the corner, don't stop now, keep pushing yourself.