So it's the end of the semester and that means one thing: Finals! Oh yes, the one week of the month every college student looks forward to. Honestly the more I go through college the more I realize that college really isn't hard.
First of all, everyone should be in college doing something they love or are really interested in. If you're interested in what you're studying, why wouldn't you go?
Second of all, you should be in college right out of high school or soon after. Leaving a schooling system and then having complete freedom to go back to a schooling system is hard. Might as well just push through and get through the next four years. I mean its at least something you want to learn about right?
But anyway, the end of the semester is tough. Especially the spring semester since everyone just wants summer but I've learned a few do's and don't's for the end of the semester. Honestly, you should really just trust me on these.
Do utilize your space.
Sometimes just sitting in your dorm room can get you depressed and feeling alone. Utilize the areas on campus you can go to study or work but also be around people such as the library or the student cafe. It's a great thing to be out and about around campus but also be studying or doing homework.
Don't isolate yourself to study for finals.
Never keep to yourself during finals. Make study groups with kids in your class, ask your professors for extra help, stay after class to ask that question you've had. One thing I love about Rhode Island College is that even if the programs are difficult and competitive, the peers in classes are super helpful and want you to succeed.
Keeping to yourself during this stressful week is going to burn out your batteries, help you to feel sad and depressed and induce procrastination. Work with others!
Do eat and take care of yourself.
I've seen some disturbing things on campus lately but lack of personal care is definitely up there. The amount of greasy heads, dark eye circles, and dirty sweats I've seen is definitely too much for one week of life. Make sure you're eating and no, not just fast food. Shower regularly and make sure you get some sleep, which actually brings me to...
Don't stay up the night before a final cramming.
I promise you that rereading the information for the 50th time is not going to get it stuck in your head any more than it already is. Get some sleep before your final. Being well rested may help you just as much as studying.
Having the energy to perform well is important. Make sure you're sleeping and eating before your finals and not staying up until 4 am to make those flashcards you can study from on your way to the test. No no, just get some rest baby.
Do hydrate!
Drink water. Yes water, that clear liquid that is the base of all consumable liquids. Drink it. Only drinking iced coffees and energy drinks is not going to help you in the long run, I swear it. You will get dehydrated and you will pass out because there is not enough water in your system.
Keep a water bottle in your bag at all times. If your campus is like RIC's, there are water fountains and bottle filling stations all over campus. It might be in your best interest to get yourself a durable refillable water bottle. You'll never be thirsty and hey you'll look kind of sporty??
Don't hold in your emotions.
People get stressed. especially during finals time. You have exam after exam to study for and life is still going on behind you. Your dad is still sick and your income is still shit and your physical health has been off now for a week and you still have finals to worry about. So with that being said stay human.
If you need to cry it's okay. If you need to take some mental health time don't think twice about it. If you are having a lot of emotions and you need help you can always talk to the counseling center on campus. But don't hold in everything just because you want to focus on finals. It's probably one of the worst things you can do for your mental health.
Do actually go to class.
I'm not even going to lie, I definitely need to take this advice more seriously for next semester. It's good to go to class so you understand the material, plus you still have some professors that use attendance policies. Don't screw yourself over on material because you really wanted to sleep in on Wednesday morning. You have a whole summer to sleep in, you'll make it don't worry.
And lastly, don't forget to have fun.
Yes, finals and ending a semester is important but remember to tickle your funny bone now and again and have a laugh with friends. Go out with friends to see that movie or go to that arcade and play a few rounds of Galaga. You deserve fun just as much as you deserve to pass this semester.
I hope these do's and don't's helped! I know that at least some of you can benefit from these if I myself benefited from a few. Stay lovely all and stay safe during your end of semester!
