Can you believe it is almost the end of the semester, just a month or so until we will all be headed home for winter break! This last month of classes can be crazy busy. The weather is starting to get cold, morale can be low, and stress is ever so present. Here is a guide to surviving and thriving for the end of the fall semester!
1. Go talk to your professor
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Professors can be intimidating, but I promise that dropping by their office hours is so important whether you are struggling or not. It really will make a difference. I was struggling in one class and was considering dropping it so I went to talk to my professor and despite not doing so well on my first exam he made a deal with me that if I got a certain score on the cumulative last exam he would pass me. And even if you are excelling in a class, if your professor knows you, then at the end of the semester if you need an 88% to magically become an A, then he/she will be so much more inclined to help you out. Professors really want to see everyone learn, succeed, and get great grades.
2. Review, Review, Review
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Finals week does not have to be nearly as stressful, if you start prepping beforehand. Simply taking thirty minutes every night to start reviewing notes from earlier in the semester will make a huge difference when finals week rolls around. Also, focusing in on the concepts that were difficult for you to understand previously will allow you to leave easier concepts for closer to finals, creating less panic later on.
3. Stay healthy
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November can be a extremely hectic. Exams usually fall the week or two before Thanksgiving, everyone has a million assignments, papers, and projects to work on so it can be hard to remember to stay healthy. Get enough sleep, try to eat healthy, and go to the gym occasionally. I definitely sound like a mom here, but staying healthy will make doing your best so much easier. Productivity is so much higher when you are well rested and living a healthy life.
4. Use the holidays for motivation
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Thanksgiving break is three weeks away, can you believe that? About a month until Hanukkah! Christmas less than two months away! Stay motivated by telling yourself that all these fun-filled holidays are right around the corner. Soon you will be able to cuddle with your dog, catch up with family and friends, and eat the plethora of yummy foods that are always around during the holidays! Finish out the semester strong, so when you see that one noisy family member, you can confidently tell them you aced all your finals, and did great in all your classes!
