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Tips for the End-of-Semester Rush

Whether your term lasts for 16, 10, or 5 weeks, the end of the term is a busy crush of last-minute assignments. And if you’re taking more than one course, every one of them probably has a project due –or an exam—during that last week of class.

End-of-Semester Survival Tips:

• Clear your calendar in advance. At the start of the term, mark the final week of classes on your calendar, and don’t plan anything that week. If you have a wedding, family reunion or vacation planned for that last week, communicate with your instructors immediately, and reconsider taking a full course load.
• Start projects early. Procrastinators take heed. Most students who take a tumble in grades usually fell down during that last week of the class. I’ve seen student grades go from B’s to D’s right in that last week – all because they waited unti the last minute and made some avoidable mistakes.
• Schedule childcare. Now is the time to call in some favors. Drop the children off at their grandparents’ house or in daycare. You’ll need a clear head to finish out the term strong.
• Cook meals in advance or get takeout. Daily chores can eat into our study time. The more things you can square away in advance, the more time you’ll have during finals week to prepare your school projects.
• Go to the library. If you live in a full house, you might want to spend as much time at the library as possible. Too often, studying at home leads to distractions; so it’s sometimes better to just remove yourself from home to squeeze in some focused study time.
• Celebrate birthdays early. If your child is celebrating a birthday the week of finals, celebrate it the weekend before. Most people won’t complain about early presents.

Keep in mind that if you haven’t done any work the entire semester, a last-minute crunch isn’t going to save you. But if you’ve been fairly involved with your courses all term, these tips will help keep you a little calmer and productive. Good luck!

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