Ahh, April. The flowers are blossoming, the sun is shining and college students everywhere are worrying about registration and spending late nights in the library with Ben and Jerry's ice cream trying not to have a breakdown. This last month of the semester, aka hell month, surely lives up to its name. Tests, projects and presentations are given to students by the handful and everything that could happen in life, seems to happen during this final stretch to the end of the semester. It's a long haul, but if you follow these tips, you'll be on top of the academic game, and the end of the semester will be here before you know it.
Breathe.
Although this may seem unnecessary to your end of semester success, it is quite the contrary. During this month, emotions and stress levels are at an all-time high, and during this time, it is important that you take a moment to breathe. Know that no matter how stressful things are currently, they will all work out and in the end everything will be OK. Breathe.
Get some sleep.
Staying up until 4 a.m. studying (or cramming, however you decide to phrase it) for a test might seem like a good idea until you realize its 4 a.m. and you have to be awake in four hours for the exam. You drink mounds of coffee and try to stay awake, but boy, is the struggle so real. Sleep is very important for your body and physical/mental health. Less sleep leads to more stress, which leads to tiredness, which leads to lower grades. Besides, your brain won't retain anything if you can barely keep your eyelids open past midnight. Get some sleep; it will be good for you and that good grade on the test will thank you later, which leads me to my next point ...
Study (don't cram); the library is your friend.
These tips are obviously a given, but yet students (myself included) don't follow them as much as we should. Cramming has no use. You spend minutes or hours trying to retain the information in a limited amount of time—not a good idea. Four days or so before your exam, make flashcards, create a quizlet full of vocab and start reading over your study guide. By preparing earlier and studying day by day, you have a definite higher chance of doing well on that presentation/test. While you're preparing days earlier for your assigned work, do so at your university's library. Throughout this whole week, the library is your friend. Its Starbucks cafe and quiet rooms embrace you with open arms. Trust me, the library is there to help, and it will.
Don't procrastinate.
This is way easier said than done but is a true key to success in getting through the end of semester. As hard as it is, buckle down, stay focused and get your work done. It will be worth it in the end.
TREAT YO SELF.
In the words of Donna and Tom from "Parks and Rec," "Treat yo self." Yes, get your work done and focus but please take a moment (or two) to yourself. Make some popcorn and watch a movie on Netflix. Grab some ice cream and eat it in the comfort of your dorm room. Do something that you enjoy. As important as it is to study and do well, it is important to take a break and recharge.
Trust that everything will work out and know that this semester won't last forever.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, no matter how stressful this end of the semester may seem, it will end. It isn't forever and pretty soon, you'll be at home lounging in the summer sun with your family and hometown friends. Everything will end up working out and it will all be OK, you just have to trust in that.
