Every year in school I find myself falling into a vortex of endless homework, assignments, projects, quizzes, exams, etc. and it's always around this time. Yes, it is sadly that time again students, the midterms are coming. Half of our semester is over and professors are squeezing every assignment they possibly can in until fall break. Of course as students our mindset is already in fall break. As we sit in our hour and fifteen minute lecture halls (which are almost as bad as those three hour labs) we can't help but let our minds drift to our couches at home where we are curled up with our pet we haven't seen in a lifetime, and we get to eat real food with our families and enjoy just a few days of peace. Unfortunately, when you come back from your day dream you suddenly have three assignments due by next class and a quiz sitting in front of you. How will you ever catch back up? Your world starts coming to an abrupt end, and nothing seems possible anymore. Fortunately I have listed some solutions for when you have a day like this.
1. Make A List
The first step to any productive day starts by making a list. Just write down everything you know that is due at any upcoming time, and put the list somewhere you will see it frequently. For me, I use the notes application on my mac book and just add onto it daily. The more you look at the list, the more you will remember to get things done. The best part about making a list is when you are able to cross things off. If you want to get fancy with it, buy a planner. Then you will be all kinds of organized and soon enough you won't just be turning in your assignments on time, but you will literally be on time to everything. Moral of the story, lists will change your life.
2. Go to the Tutoring Center
Okay, so maybe all that day dreaming has got you not only falling behind, but now you literally don't even know what is going on. Don't sweat it though because there is always someone willing to help you especially at the tutoring center! At Appalachian State University, the tutoring center is located upstairs, to the left in in D. D. Dougherty Hall. I have personally used the tutoring center for statistics and without those heavenly sent angels I would not have made the grade I did. The people down at the tutoring center just get it, ya know? They've had the teachers you've had. They've done all of the bullcrap assignments you are having to go through now. They are some of the smartest, understanding people we have on campus and I completely recommend going to see them for any class you are struggling in. It is life changing.
3. Make a Friend in Class
Friends are so important to have in every class you are taking. You don't have to hang out with them outside of class and become inseparable (unless they just rock that much), but have someone you can talk to about class. These friends help when you can't remember what was due, want to complain about the teacher, need help with the assignment, or just someone to relate with while you sit through the longest class of your life.
4. Talk to Your Professor
Meeting your professor for their office hours is one of the most helpful ways you can catch up because they will be honest with you. If you've been having personal issues you can discuss that with them and hopefully find a compromise. I understand that not all professors are understanding, but they truly do not hate you and they never want to watch you fail.
5. Get Your Rest
Sleep is the most important!! I am not talking about daytime naps, or skipping class to get that extra hour of sleep. I am talking about not staying in the library until 3 a.m. and getting almost zero sleep because of the stress. We all have our late nights in the library where we are racking our brain over something we are trying to cram into our heads for the next day. Once in a while those nights are needed, but to have a successful, productive day you need to get your sleep. Work hard during the day so you can rest all night!
These tips seem obvious to the average college student, but we all need to be reminded of what is important and how to prioritize. For my last little piece of advice I would say time management trumps all. With talking a full load of classes, working a job, being involved, and trying to maintain some sort of social life we kind of let our time and priorities slip away. All of these reminders fall under time management, which is definitely a hard quality to maintain. Overall, the semester is almost half way over and you all have made it this far! I am proud of every single college student that is working his or her butt off for that degree. From the wise words of Joe Dirt, "You gotta keep on keepin' on. Life's a garden: dig it. You gotta make it work for you."
