The final weeks of the semester tend to take a toll on everyone. We become overwhelmed with finals, events, and commitments to our organizations. Plus, this all comes after the teaser break that was Thanksgiving.
It can be hard to stay focused during this final stretch, and hard to keep a positive mood when a mid-year break is just around the corner. As a way to help you maintain high spirits and low stress levels (as low as possible) we put together a few tips for your final weeks of the fall semester.
1.Plan your time.
With so many things going on at once, you should schedule the time you will spend on each project and class. This will help you stay productive and not get overwhelmed thinking about all you have to do. One thing at a time!
2.Take time for yourself
You shouldn’t only plan out time to study and do work. Make sure you schedule personal time into your busy schedule. Whether it is a short nap, grabbing a cup of coffee, going for a walk, going to Fit Rec, or watching ONE episode on Netflix, make sure you have a break to separate the tedious studies.
3.Set goals
Make small goals, such as completing another chapter or finishing a certain number of essay pages. After reaching each of these goals, reward yourself with one of the things you planned during your “personal time.” This will make you feel less guilty about taking a break, and also keep you motivated and focused while doing the work.
4.Sleep.
This is so important to remember. Pulling all-nighters may seem like the only answer when you have an important exam or paper due during these few weeks, but your body needs that time to rest. You won’t want to be sleep deprived on exam day because you will not be able to focus. Your health comes first, always!
5.Eat
Eat REAL meals. You need energy to focus, so don’t live off of caffeine and granola bars all week. A trip to the dining hall for a healthy meal is a nice break, and provides you with the energy you need to keep working hard.
6. Leave time to socialize
Don’t isolate yourself the entire week of finals. I’m not suggesting you go out every night after studying; however, it’s a good idea to go grab lunch or dinner or just chat with a friend in between study sessions so your mind can take a short break from the academic stress.
7. Call home or a friend.
It’s often relaxing to hear a familiar voice when your mind is so concentrated on school. A short phone call home also reminds you what you have to look forward to after exams. A little motivation doesn’t hurt.
8.Relax!
Take a deep breath every now and then and remind yourself not to put too much pressure on yourself with these exam-filled weeks. Work hard, do your best, study with friends, reward yourself and breathe.
Winter break is almost here! Work hard now because a month of relaxation is waiting for you when it’s all done.