The end of the 2017-2018 semester is near, at least for Washington State University students, and we are all, undoubtedly, excited. However, there is no time for any of us to rest on our laurels.

The end of the semester is the most crucial part of it. It is when students must give everything they have into studying for their final exams and writing their final papers. This is especially true when a student’s grade is less than appealing. Sometimes, finals are just what university students need to put them in prime position to succeed.

Regardless of what your grade is, you must give it your all if there are three or fewer weeks left in the semester. Of course, you must put in 100% effort regarding schoolwork no matter what day or month it is, but the final stretch is where mistakes simply cannot be made.

A chief element of this final stretch for many students is an increased degree of work. There is often a drastic rise in the amount of homework and tests in the last few weeks, putting pressure on students and occasionally forcing them to cram for classes if they do not have enough time.

Along with this is a heightened difficulty curve. Assignments and exams near the end of the semester often cover material that has been taught throughout the entire length of the course.

It can be difficult to recall certain aspects of the course that were learned near the beginning. This is especially prudent when early elements in the course are not brought up again until the final exam. It is important for professors to maintain consistency throughout the classes that they teach, but not all professors are like this. This is why it is important to prepare for the ultimate challenge beforehand.

There is always the option of preparing for the end of the semester early on when you have free time, and this can certainly help many students. If one studies elements of the course for at least an hour a day, it will go a long way towards finishing the course with a strong grade.

However, there are many courses to account for, as students usually take five or six courses per semester. This is true for us WSU students, and we all have to ensure that we stay on track for all of our courses, no matter what our schedules are.

In the past, I have been guilty of brushing off work and studying at the last minute. In fact, I still do sometimes, but far less often. I am busier than ever nowadays, but I will not let that stop me from preparing extensively for my finals because they are a major factor in determining my final grade, no matter what the class may be.

I urge all college students reading this to take their work towards the end of the semester very seriously and to never give up, no matter how bleak the circumstances look. On the other side of the tunnel is your future, and you must race towards it in the final weeks.