Even though it's the start of the first semester, there is no shame in starting to plan for the dreaded week of exams and final projects now. The end of the semester slump is a real thing, but if you start preparing now, you'll be ahead of the game.

Start planning now

Everyone knows that when you start to fall behind in your academic life, it’s really hard to climb your way out and accomplish everything you need by a certain deadline. It’s essential to make an end of the semester to due list for yourself so you can easily see what is coming in the weeks ahead. The end of the school is a perfect storm of finishing presentations, projects, group assignments and exams. Don’t let it all pile up within the last two weeks of school. If you know you have a project do in three weeks, start working on it now so you aren’t up all night the week it’s due trying to perfect it. The farther in advance you plan, the easier everything will go.

Also keep yourself organized now because there's nothing worse than trying to do it the week before exams. Take good notes and see you professors now for things you don't already understand. You don't want to be that kid that tries to cram it all in at the very last second.

Make time for yourself

During the hectic last few weeks of school, it can be easy to forget about doing what is best for you. If you need to take a break from the project you’ve been working on for three hours, do it. It’s not healthy to stare at a computer screen for hours on end, remember to take a breather and take a break to make sure you keep your mind in good shape. Also, if you plan far enough in advance and schedule accordingly, you’ll be able to have extra time for yourself to catch up on some episodes of your favorite TV show, read or a book or just relax for a few hours each day. School is important, but you’re also a college student and deserve to have fun and treat yourself every once in awhile.

Celebrate your accomplishments

The whole semester brings you to one finished as a college student, and that alone is an accomplishment. There’s no doubt as students we make mistakes, but their are also accomplishments that are made that you should be celebrating. Got an A on an exam you thought you you failed, celebrate. Passed your math class, celebrate. Made it to all of your 8 a.m. classes, celebrate. No matter how big or small you think something is, if you succeeded celebrate what you’ve done. Completing a year of college is no easy task, and you should take time to celebrate everything you’ve accomplished.

Stay positive

Being negative about the end of the semester isn’t going to solve any of your problems. In fact, it will probably make things worse for you and everyone else you complain to. It can be hard sometimes, but a positive attitude can change a crummy situation to a better one just by being open minded and optimistic. Staying positive during the end of the semester slump will only make things better for you.