It's that time again, there is less than a month left of the semester and most of us have mentally clocked out. Our classes are wrapping up, we have gotten to the last page of our syllabus, and we should probably be working on all those papers due on the same week and studying for finals week. However, with the end of the year also comes the dreaded procrastination. We sleep in, miss a couple of classes, stop doing our readings, skip a few assignments here and there, and leave studying until the night before the cumulative study. Here are a few ways to make the rest of the semester full of productive days and avoid scary situations and all-nighters on finals week.
1. Get out of Bed Early:
Notice I did not say wake up early because many times we may make up early, but stay in bed for an extra hour, which defeats the whole purpose. Waking up and getting out of bed at around 9 A.M., even if you don't have an early class, gives you more energy and more productive hours to tackle your most difficult tasks. So set your alarm at 8 A.M. or 9 A.M. and get out of bed with a smile!
2. Eat Breakfast:
Having a healthy breakfast early in the morning provides you with nutrients and vitamins to give you more energy and brain power during the day. Try to not have the same boring cereal and milk every day, mix it up! Look up healthy recipes for breakfast sandwiches or a fruit salad.
3. Exercise:
Going to the gym, taking a morning jog, or attending a yoga session early in the day can fill your brain with dopamine, making you have a more positive attitude during the day. You will also feel more motivated to get all your errands and studying done.
4. Make a To-Do List:
Successful people have a habit of making a to do list for the day. Something I have found helpful is to make a list for studying and another list for errands, such as laundry. Include in your list what subjects you will be studying, how many pages of your paper you will write, and how much homework you want to get done.
5. Prioritize:
Have realistic goals for the day and use your judgement to prioritize between your assignments. You can do this by due date, which I have found most helpful, or by importance of the task. It is also smart to prioritize difficult tasks and leave the easier tasks for the end.
6. Eliminate Distractions:
Avoid your phone, social media, YouTube, Netflix, and anything else that distracts your attention from what is really important. Your time is precious during the end of the semester and you should spend it smartly.
7. Take Breaks:
Your brain needs breaks during productive days and it is not a smart idea to burn yourself out. Do something relaxing or enjoyable, but don't let it go on for too long or you'll find yourself procrastinating.
8. Take Care of Yourself:
Do not skip meals, take showers, sleep 6-8 hours, and stay hydrated! A healthy body means a healthy mind!
9. Say No:
Especially during the weeks leading up to finals, it is important to be selfish with your time. If you end up saying yes to everyone, you might end up giving your time to your friends, instead of keeping it and using it to pass your classes!
10. Go to Sleep Early:
If you are going to make a habit of getting out of bed early, it is important to not go to sleep so late. Go to bed and avoid being on your phone for an hour! Your body and brain will be tired from that productive day you just had!
