As the holiday break is ending, we all find ourselves dreading going back to school.
The free food was awesome. #BrokeCollegeStudent
(The political discussions were not.)
The shopping was a bit scary.
(But hey, there were some gooddeals.)
Although we'd like to see our college friends, and get out of our boring hometowns, the inevitable scourge that is finals week is looming above our heads.
As you say your tearful (or secretly thankful) goodbyes to your family and old high school friends and cry over all the homework you need to catch up on, however, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
1. We Can Be Thankful All The Time
Thanksgiving does NOT have the monopoly on thankfulness! Although it's great to come together around Thanksgiving, we are often more blessed than we truly see. It's cliche, but don't forget to say thank you, even for the little things. Don't forget generosity, or common kindness, even if the time of the year doesn't match that theme.
2. Our Families Still Exist When We're Not Around (So Keep In Touch!)
It's easy to get caught up in class after class, study session after study session, test after test. We may forget to reach out to them for a while, but our families live their lives without us! Don't forget to shoot them a small, "How are you?" every once in awhile. I'm sure they'll appreciate it! And plus, next Thanksgiving, we won't be shocked at how much everything has changed (because we knew about it when it happened).
3. It'll Be Christmas Before We Know It
For those of us who are shaking at the thought of finals week being less than a month away, remember that Santa is on his way! Before you can say "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" three times fast, exam season will be over, and just like this last week, we'll be back at home, under some cozy blankets, gulping down some eggnog and thinking, "How did time fly so fast? The semester feels like it started yesterday."
4. If You Need Help, You Can Find It
If you're really stressed about your performance in class so far and you don't think you understand your classes, there are on-campus resources that can help you!
Check out the UK's Peer Tutoring website offers information on different opportunities like The Study, Presentation U, and Mathskeller. The Writing Center also offers writing consultation sessions!
If you're feeling anxious and need someone to talk to, the Counseling Center is a resource you can utilize! Try to find healthy ways to work through stressful situations, like finding a hobby or exercising regularly (especially if you ate too much turkey last week like I did)!
5. Don't Forget About You
The most important thing is to remember to take care of yourself! Have a great time while you're here. Try not to waste it worrying about your grades or stressing about exam questions you can't predict. Give it your all, but don't let your nerves overwhelm you!
Remember that your grades are important, but your health is too!
Good luck!
