Being in the final stretch of the school year, I know that we are all in that same mode and are all thinking the same thing, "Can't I just be done already?" I am with all of you and want to be finished just as much as you all, maybe even more!! Whether it's cramming for a final exam, working on a (lame) group project, or writing a 25-page paper, or in my case forcing myself to write that last batch of papers. I know it can be very stressful. Some of us reach that point where we just want to give up and don't believe that we can make it til the end. I have ran this race several times already and I have survived every time, barely, but I survived.

The semester is almost over. Don't always think of that in a negative way. Once you finish that final or hand in that eight-page paper, all your hard work has paid off and you are finished with it all. You will be able to take a deep breath and that sigh of relief is the best feeling you will have all semester. It may be a lot of work but don't let that get to you. Remember that all that work will get done and once it's done, it is done. No more papers, no more exams, no more three-hour lectures, nothing. Keep running and cross that finish line and allow yourself to take that sigh of relief that you deserve.

It's a lot of work, but that does not mean it has to all get done at once. Yes, some exams and papers are due on the same day but you get your final exam schedule at the very beginning so take advantage of that. Plan ahead. If you have a test and a paper for two different classes due on the same day, plan to study one day and plan on writing that paper another day. Space out your work as much as you can. Being a procrastinator myself, I know the one the thing to not do... Do not wait until the last minute to get it all done. Trust me it will not end well. If you space all the work out, it won't seem like that much after a while. It takes stress off of yourself and allows you to do the best that you can for each class.

This is also a special time for our seniors as well. The time for graduation is almost upon you! Soon you will be finished with your college career and on to the next stage of life. I have many friends graduating this year and I am very proud to see how far they have come and excited to see where they will end up. I know for some they are still trying to get things together and figure out what's next. I know they will find that next step and will take a big leap in this next and important phase of their life. Once they get through this final week they will be finished with school for good (unless they do graduate school and more power to the ones that do). While this week may be the roughest for them, they can take some solace and know it is the last time they will have to deal with it.

that work you put in during the semester can become too much and at one point

it seems like it will never end. But here's the thing... it does! And when it

does that feeling is the best feeling in the world! Especially when you soon

realize that once finals are done, so is all the school work. No more lectures,

no more papers, no more homework, nothing! A nice well-deserved break for all

that hard work. And the best part is that break lasts a WHOLE SUMMER!! Plenty of time to relax and recharge those batteries.

Enjoy some time with family and friends.

Catch up on all that sleep you lost during the year, take a trip to the beach (or a dozen), plan a vacation, whatever you want!

Summer is almost here! Soon you can finally put down that book and go relax down by the pool. Just have to make it through those last few papers and exams and you'll be all set! Just one more week to go! For everyone out there don't give up!! For the seniors ready to graduate I wish you all well this week and also wish you the best in life and going forward. Just one more week! We got this!