Now that Thanksgiving break has passed, it’s time to gear up for finals! You know what that means – final projects, exams, and stress. This time of the semester tends to go by very quickly but can also be hard for us students since there isn’t too much time left. With meetings to plan, papers to write, and more – where do you start? These 5 tips should get you on the right track to kick off the end of this semester!
1. Write all of your assignments out
One of the biggest roadblocks for getting things done is an overwhelmed feeling. This can cause you to be frazzled and lose your focus, so one of the first and most important things you can do is to write all of your assignments out. Start by going through your class documents, such as the syllabus or schedule, in order to see what assignments are left. Write down the assignments for each class that need to be completed, including papers, exams, and whatever else there is.
2. Sort the assignments
Once you have written all of your assignments out, it’s time to sort them! Organize your assignments based on their due dates and then drill down in even more detail about things such as the length of time you expect the assignment to take or the amount of collaboration needed (example: must have a group meeting). Once you have details for your assignments, you can begin planning. You are now able to contact group project teams and professors on-time so that you will have plenty of time to complete assignments after initial meetings. From here, you can even create a day-by-day plan for what you want to work on and finish. This will help to keep your priorities in check.
3. Give yourself a break
No matter what, finals are guaranteed to bring you stress. Be sure to find ways to cope with this that are healthy and balanced. Make time for workouts, cooking meals, seeing friends, and anything else you need to keep cool. If you are overwhelmed, recognize that and take steps to better your situation. Keep track of your mental and physical health so that you are able to perform your best. Getting a good night’s rest is always a great choice!
4. Remember why you started
We are all students and embrace the struggle, however, it’s important to consider why you started during tough times. What made you want to come to Virginia Tech? What does this community mean to you? Think about questions like these and recognize how far you’ve come. You have made it to the final stretch of the semester and are capable. Remember how you felt when you applied to college and embrace your current success.
5. Think about the feeling you will have once you’re done
One of the best ways to motivate yourself to move past something is to think about the end result. Think about how happy and grateful your future self will be for the work you are doing now. Keep moving forward and think about how wonderful winter break will be. Whether it’s your friends from home, family pet, or family members, find something to focus on that you are looking forward to spending time with over winter break.
Good luck on your finals, collegiettes!
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