As we all return from Thanksgiving break, an unsettling truth arises: only three weeks until the semester is over. For some, including me, that means that there is only 3 weeks to try and boost those grades up! With finals approaching in just two weeks, I thought I’d give some advice to my fellow students as we dive into these last few weeks.

1. Go to office hours

A lot of people say it’s too late to go to office hours this late in the semester. Well, those people are wrong! It never hurts to go to office hours! Whether you have a list of questions to ask, or you just want to sit quietly and jot down some notes, it’s a good way to reinforce known material and better understand the more tricky material.

2. Study the way that best suits your needs (flashcards, highlighting notes, watching videos)

Students have different study habits. Some may read straight from the textbook for hours on end, while others may watch videos or make flashcards points. However you study, make sure that it works for you! I personally like to skim through my notes and highlight important info, as well write down some key points that I may have missed before. If I have to memorize certain words or know the order of a multi-step process, then I may also do flashcards.

3. Try to make some time for you!

Despite how stressful finals may be, be sure to set aside time to relax or do something fun. Even if it’s an hour of Netflix or a nap, it’s always good to take a break from homework and studying!

4. Think about Christmas break as a way to motivate you through the rest of the semester.

Even though we just got back from Thanksgiving break, I am already eagerly awaiting Christmas break! I am more than ready to leave school for a month so that I can spend time with my family, eat a bunch of tamales, and open a bunch of presents. Whenever I’m feeling super stressed or ready to give up, I just think about how Christmas is right around the corner and it usually brightens up my mood and encourages me to finish my work.

I wish all of you the best of luck with finals! Though it may seem like a long time, the semester is almost finished so finish strong!