I’m sure no one is ever truly, completely ready for finishing up the semester. Getting an education is stressful and it doesn’t make any less stressful when you throw working jobs, extracurricular activities like Greek life and or sports into the mix. How does one get back into the swing of things or at least get back in the right mindset so they can start to finish up the semester knowing they did their best? College is draining and the only difference between the good days and the off days is doing what makes us happy and or seeing the ones that make us happy.

Yes it would be easier to just take a nap till the end of time and avoid our responsibilities for as long as humanly is possible but that is somewhat delusional.  It’s okay to take breaks and relax but getting back to work on accomplishing one’s goals is sometimes feels even sweeter than taking a break. This feeling happens after seeing all our hard work pay off like completing one’s studies and receiving a diploma for instance. In order to make it through the latter half of the semester without that much stress one must get organized and stick to the plan of action.

First one should not only schedule out their week but schedule out what assignments need to be done. This will act as your own personal academic blueprint for finishing out the semester because no one knows how you work best than you. You know how long it takes for you to complete an assignment, study and gather research. Utilize this knowledge to set up daily and or weekly plans for completing what needs to get done by the end of the semester. This plan allows you to carve out time to complete your studies essentially worry free or at the very least with less worries and stresses than you previously had.

After carving out a plan think about what and or who helps you study. Maybe the new location of the library is no longer conducive to studying for you. So find some alternative places like tables in the bottom of Scovill or The Wood’s computer lab and maybe get together a study group so you can keep each other accountable.

Next prep and start to make your meals ahead of time, that way with the little down time you have if at all you can just cook pre-prepped meals in no time and or heat up pre-cooked meals like soup and stews that are truly satisfying to gobble up. This could also apply to snacks as well. If you by chance are living in a dorm and or residency hall you might be looking for an alternative option to seeing your flex amount decrease. I love going out and ordering Dominos and or Subway but sometimes you have to use your meal plans and flex at actual Millikin University establishments. So if by chance you walk into Wornick Dining hall one day and you aren’t feeling pizza try getting just the hamburger/chicken patty to top a salad or get a hamburger but remove the top bun to have an open faced sandwich. Remember any toppings/ dipping sauces you get are better in moderation. If you can’t see the actual food you just got because it doused in ranch, cut back on the amount you normally get. Having a healthy fulling meal no matter the day will help you feel energized to make it through the day, week and eventually the semester.

Normally I wouldn’t suggest checking your grades because sometimes they are intimating and or embarrassing to look at. Yet, how else are you going to know what needs to be done to get back on track. Check your grades and them email and or visit your professors. Talk to your professors about how overwhelmed you are feeling and I’m sure they can work something out with you. Professors have office hours for a reason. They want you to visit them and receive the assistance you need in order to not fail and or drop the class.

Lastly utilize the wonderful resources here on campus. Visit the Writing Center in their new location in LRTUC next to ISE and the Math Center/ Office of Student Success located in Shilling Hall. The resources are here to help you feel better equipped to tackle your studies. Do not waste time feeling overwhelmed and lost, use these resources and the above tips to make it out the semester alive and in good spirits.