10 Ways a College Student Can Finish the Semester Strong
The end of the semester can be very draining, and it can be tempting to slack off academically. Fortunately, there are many things one can do to finish the semester strong.
1. Don’t stop studying.
Keep studying even if it means finding new ways to stay motivated to study. This can mean leading or joining study groups or creating games using your study material.
2. Keep yourself accountable.
You can do this by scheduling time to focus on your studies, as well as time to forget about them for a while. Accountability is a balance that includes taking responsibility for your actions and keeping them at a consistent level. In order to achieve any success, one must practice accountability.
3. Encourage yourself.
Stay positive in your actions, mindset and attitude. Practice positive self-talk or leave notes with encouraging quotes in places that you will regularly read them. A small dose of encouragement can go a long way in curing clinical onset senioritis or semesteritis (for underclassmen).
4. Take naps.
Get some rest. Your brain and body need to recharge in order to function normally. Take time to rest your brain, whether that means going to bed a couple of hours earlier or catching a quick snooze between classes.
5. Take care of your body.
When caffeine and espresso are the only things keeping you going, you’re in trouble. Over long periods of time, neglecting proper nutrition habits can have a substantial impact on your health. Take care of your body, it’s the only one you have.
6. Participate in extra-curriculars.
Get away from school for five minutes. Enjoy time with friends and blow off some steam. This can give your brain a break and help you relax and recharge so that when you return, you will be more motivated to complete academic tasks.
7. Spend time with the ones you love.
Being a part of a community or a support system plays a key role in maintaining positive mental health. For when individuals spend time with loved ones, they may become less likely to feel lonely or anxious. Support systems are important, so spend time interacting with yours.
8. Reward yourself.
When you finish that 10-page paper or that first hour of intense study time, reward yourself with your favorite food or activity. This can help motivate you to keep achieving your goals and to continue setting them.
9. Set achievable goals.
Let’s be honest, it’s easy to cram a month’s worth of studying into the night before. College students have made an artform out of last-minute studying but setting goals would be healthier and a lot less stressful. These can be small goals like dedicating 30 minutes to reviewing a chapter in a textbook or an hour making notecards to study the following day. You can do this by making a checklist or using your planner regularly. Above all, remember that setting achievable goals is far greater than wasting time, ink and paper writing down things you know you will never do.
10. Enjoy yourself.
Practice mindfulness and cherish the good moments. When college is all commenced and done and you are holding a diploma in your hand— you won’t remember, or you’d rather not remember wasting all your time stressed out over school. Get out there. Be social. Make friends. Make memories. Enjoy yourself. Make the best of college because it goes by faster than you think.
