Two months down, one to go. If you're like me you've spent the semester with your head barely above water as far as academia, but fear not! There is hope for us yet! Here's my advice for finishing your semester as on-top as possible.

1. Kiddo, it's time to go to class......for real

Promise yourself now, right now, that you will go to every class you have for the next 4 weeks. It'll show the professor that you aren't a quitter, and if you need some extra points at the end of fall, you might be able to squeeze a few out.

2. Notice your study habits and stick to them.

You're not going to make any progress by thinking more about how you're studying than actually studying: If you've never been one to make decorative and pretty notes, now is not the time.

3. Unless cramming the night before works for you, don't cram the night before.

Like I said, if you've never successfully crammed a week's -- or a month's -- worth of studying into one day, I wouldn't try to do it now. You have a little over a month, you'll be able to keep up if you start keeping up now.

4. Get the sleep you need

My schedule this semester hasn't been crazy, I'll admit. But I have a few friends who haven't had a good night's sleep since they were in the womb. To you and to them I say: Go To Sleep. Seriously. Eat some food, drink some water, and go to sleep. Not only that but sleep anytime you can! Naps after class are particularly good because, of course, they help you turn short term memories (i.e. what you learned in class) into long-term memories.

5. Don't punish yourself for not completing all of your tasks

This one is really important. If you don't finish something, don't get too worked up. I'll let you in on a secret of life -- There is no such thing as "getting ahead." Seriously. Getting ahead is a North American thing, other countries keep their downtime specifically for down time because breaks are just as important as the studying. Burning out is real so please pace yourself.

6. Start talking in class.

If you don't already, start getting into discussions. If you have trouble speaking in class remember that the professor wants to hear from students (otherwise participation wouldn't be required). You might think you have a weak point -- and to be honest, you might actually have a weak point, but by engaging yourself in the discussion, you're more likely to pay attention to the discussion. Another thing you can do, if you're goal oriented like me, is to set a 2 question minimum for yourself -- go to class already knowing that you have to say at least 2 things during discussion, or ask 2 questions during lecture, and you'll be good

7. Reevaluate overcommitment

So earlier in the semester you committed to planning an end-of-semester party for Spanish Club, and Film Club, and Writing Club, plus you've got dinner with your parents coming up, plus you have to study and maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits, plus your friends want to go out on Thursday............and you have work. Reevaluate what you actually want to do in your extracurricular time. If you don't want to go out, don't. If you can't plan three different parties, tell people now so they can figure it out. If your boss is scheduling you for all times you are not in class quit talk to them. Your time is valuable and it's possible to burn out on "fun stuff" too.

8. Prioritize! Everything!

Keeping a master to-do list is a life-saving strategy I learned in high school. I write out all of my commitments and homework and goals and then I dole out the unchecked boxes to different days based on how soon they need to be completed. Then I reward myself with Netflix......It's not a perfect process.

9. Specify your workday

For the most part, no one can work all day long, so to give yourself work hours will help you to not feel guilty for going out because you will have already finished your 'work day.'

10. Do you know your grade?

Go to office hours and find out your grade and what your attendance has really been throughout (it'll help your prioritize), also some face-time with the professor can't hurt at this point. While you're there you can (and should) talk to them about any difficulties you've been having and show them that you care about your education.*

*Cliche alert

11. Start exercising

No, really.

Exercising helps the mind focus. It's all endorphins, right? Feeling good inside will transfer to your work ethic and help you focus and study.

12. Eat.

Full Stop. Eat good food. Eat food you like. Eat food with some semblance of nutritional value. Drink water. Don't drink on an empty stomach. Don't do meth....I guess....that makes sense, right?

13. Hang out with people you like

Much like exercise, participating in friendship releases endorphins. So spend time with the people you love, you'll be doing your friends a favor too, because you're awesome, and so are they. Bring your awesomeness together and encourage each other succeed.

14. Download a focusing app or extension

My personal favorite is Forest, available for Apple, Android, and Windows, as well as most internet platforms. These apps allow you to blacklist certain websites while you have them enabled. Forest in particular lets you grow a tree as you study, and if you go to one of your blacklisted pages or apps, the tree will be killed and you won't get any coins to buy new species of trees.

15. Call your mom or dad, or grandma

Honestly, call anyone who cares about you unconditionally, it'll make you feel heard in a sea of people with the same complaints as you

16. Be excited that the semester is OVER

You did that! You did it! You survived another semester! Now reward yourself by binge-watching The Fosters (really, it's so great).