It’s official black bears; we only have six full weeks of classes left until summer (and only 41 days left until Maine Day… but who’s counting?). That being said, these next few weeks will undoubtably be the longest, most painful weeks we have to endure. Spring break has come and gone, failed midterms are being held back and it’s still freezing. Here are a few tips to keep the morale high and finish this spring semester strong!
1. Darties.
I know what you’re thinking; darties to finish the semester strong? Hear me out. We all know you’re going to party and drink on the weekends. BUT if you go to darties, maybe you’ll pass out early before the actual parties start and therefore will get a great nights sleep to wake up early Sunday morning and get some homework done!
2. Actually go to class… and pay attention!
All of spring break you were promising yourself that when you got back to school, you’d be a model student and actually start putting in some effort. Don’t go back on your word! Go to class, get those clicker question points and maybe take a note or two. It really will make a difference when it’s time for final grades, and if your professor notices you putting in the effort, they may even bump up your grade!
3. Coffee, coffee, coffee.
There’s no shame in using a little caffeine to get going in the morning (or at 3 pm).
4. Start actually using your planner.
At this point in the semester, the snow days have completely thrown off all lecture plans. Due dates are extended, lectures are cancelled and basically life is a mess. Be sure to check Blackboard or any revised syllabi and write those dates down.
5. Reach out to friends in your classes to study together and motivate each other.
At this point in the semester, you should have at least someone you’re friendly with in all of your classes (and if not, you’ve got bigger issues). Make study dates with them at the library so that you actually go and have someone to collaborate with if you don’t understand the material. Teaching them will help you learn the material, and having someone to struggle with will make getting through it more enjoyable.
6. Make a list of everything you have to look forward to, and what you have to accomplish to get there.
Don’t let yourself go out on the weekends or get OHOP unless that lab report is done and your essay is finished. Imagine Maine Day and how much you’d love to enjoy the day with no homework lurking in your mind. Set goals and get them done to enjoy all the great things in spring!
7. Remember why you’re here.
AND how much you pay to be here. We’re all in college because we want to make a life for ourselves, get an education and maybe drink a little. Just remember that in the end, all the work you put in will be worth it. You’ll never regret putting extra effort into your school work, you’ll only regret not putting in enough.
8. If all else fails, utilize the resources on campus.
The Mind Spa in the Union and the counseling center have great resources to cope with stress and get your life back on track to set you up with finishing the semester strong.
No matter how crazy and horrid things get, just remember that we’re all in this together and that summer is right around the corner!