Ending the Semester Well

The end of the semester is near, Christmas feels both distant and near, and most college students I've talked with are feeling the heavy load of end-of-semester projects, papers, and finals.  What is a student to do?  If you have the answer, let me know; we'll write a book and make our millions.

In the meantime, here are a few tips.

1. Start preparing for final exams NOW.  Commit an hour or two a week to review notes, assignments, readings, and feedback from your professor.  Avoid cramming a night or two before the exam; doing so is one of the least effective methods for success on a test and is even less effective for mastering material.  Read a few more tips at 5 Tips for Wrapping Up Your First College Semester.
   
2. Put time management principals to use.  Make a list of things you need to do and prioritize by date, importance (is it worth 20% of your grade or 1% of your grade?), and effort required to complete the task.  Maintain healthy life practices: Get enough sleep, avoid unhealthy foods (including energy drinks), exercise.  Block out (or turn off) distractions when you're doing schoolwork; set specific times for checking Facebook, email, text messages, and such.  No one multitasks effectively; in reality, we "switch-task," with each switch taking time and energy away from our ultimate goal.  Ten Tips to Reduce End-of-Semester Stress gives a few more ideas you might implement.
   
3. Prepare for your transition to home (or wherever you're going when finals are over).  End of the Semester College Tips for Students suggests conversations with family members about expectations when you return for Christmas.  You've been away from home with more independence and flexibility; will you continue living as a college student or do your parents have the same expectations as they did while you were in high school?  And while Christmas is a wonderful time of celebration, beware of getting overwhelmed by activities and gift-giving expectations.

One last piece of advice: End well. 

• Be intentional about the end of this phase of life, whether this is the end of your first semester or your last.  
• Finish assignments as well as you can.
• Focus on mastering content or skills, not getting a particular grade.
• Thank those who have impacted your life.
• Say goodbye to those you are closest to, while accepting the reality that you can't see everybody at just the right time.
• Have a cup of coffee with a good friend and reflect on how God has worked in your life this semester - intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, vocationally.