It is getting close to the end of this semester, and the end of this year as well. Whether your semester has been going well or not, we all have to get through these next two weeks. If your semester has been going well, finish up strong. If your semester has not been going well, this is the time to turn it around. Here are some ways to make the end of the semester the best it can be.
1. Tend to your basic needs.
Skipping a meal once or twice, or losing a few hours of sleep is sometimes necessary when you are trying study or get assignments done. However, doing this every day is going to take a physical, mental, and emotional toll on you, so do all you can to sleep and eat regularly. If you can find the time to, make meals for yourself or have a potluck with friends. Be sure to stay hydrated as well. As long as you have a reusable water bottle, there are refilling stations around campus that you can use. Specifically, there are ones in the library, cafe, Anderson, and Braun Hall, to name a few.
2. Stay healthy.
Anytime you head outside, make sure to keep yourself warm. Try to find some time to exercise in whatever way you like to, which can include something as fun as playing Just Dance. Drinking tea can be a great option for a caffeinated beverage, as it will also help your immune system. However, if you do love to drink coffee or espresso, drink some water alongside it. Some foods that will support your immune system include yogurt packed with probiotics, a salad with spinach, sweet potatoes, or broccoli, all of which sometimes can even be found in the cafe or Anderson. If you do get sick, try to let your body rest as much as you can and drink lots of fluids.
3. Prioritize your assignments.
You likely have many assignments due over the next two weeks. When you sit down to do homework, complete assignments that are due the soonest first. Chip away at large assignments every night, so you are not stuck trying to research for and write a long paper the night before it’s due. You are much more likely to underestimate the time it will take you to complete an assignment than you are to overestimate. Even if you do overestimate, then you will just have the assignment done earlier and have time to work on other assignments, or to relax that you didn’t originally anticipate.
4. Start studying early.
Study for classes that are harder for you earlier, though they may be the last thing you want to look at. However, the sooner you work on classes that are difficult for you, the sooner you will know what specifically you are struggling with. Try not to wait until finals week to study for cumulative finals, since they will cover a whole semester’s worth of material.
5. Cut down on your obligations.
There will be obligations that you have outside of classes, homework, and studying. Student organizations should not have too much happening at this time, but it is possible that your group has some last minute events or meetings, or has started to plan for the spring semester now. Make sure as an officer or a member that you set boundaries on what you can do during the next two weeks. If you have a job, you may not be able to reduce your hours there, but do so if you reasonably can. If you have any obligations for family or friends do your best to keep them, but also make sure that they understand what the next two weeks look like for you. Since we are so close to break, it is fair to ask that people wait to see you until then.
6. Give yourself some breaks.
You will need to take some breaks to relax and have some fun. Try to set aside time to watch your favorite show on Netflix, take a nap, or to do that one thing that always makes you happy. While it can seem most useful to work for hours on end, small breaks can be so refreshing that it is worth it. Remember to get back to work whenever you plan to and you’ll be fine.
7. Work with others.
It is important to study on your own so you can get readings done and determine what you understand, but it can also be very helpful to study with others too. If you have a regular study group, make sure to get together before finals. If you are still confused on anything, go to the SI sessions for your class if available, or find a tutor through the PACE Center. You can find more information about the PACE center here: http://www.chatham.edu/academics/support/ as well as on my.chatham.
8. Meet with your professors.
Whether you have been struggling this semester or are just confused about some of the material after discussing with other students, go talk to your professor during office hours or set up a meeting with them. If you get sick or have a mental breakdown in the next week or two and are struggling to complete your last few assignments, you may need to have a tough conversation and see if they can help. If something serious happens, you cannot withdraw at this point but it is possible to get an incomplete which will give you extra time to complete your work after the semester has ended. You can find more information about incompletes here: http://www.chatham.edu/academics/catalog/2016-2017/registrar/
9. Talk to someone.
If you are having a rough time over the next two weeks, reach out to friends on or off campus, or family that can listen. It may be enough just to share your worries with someone close to you. If you need more help than that, you can meet with trained professionals at Chatham’s counseling services, which you can find more information about here: http://www.chatham.edu/campuslife/osa/counseling/. The National Suicide Prevention Lifelife is also available at 1-800-273-8255 if you ever feel in crisis.
10. Do not doubt yourself.
During the next two weeks, you may wonder how you got this far already, and that’s okay! You have made it here, even if it’s been a bumpy ride. There is a reason you were accepted into Chatham, and you likely have made an impact here even if you cannot see it. You belong here, and you can do this.
Good luck! I hope the end of the semester goes well for all of you.
References: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ss/slideshow-immune-foods