ELYSE GRIECO
Life & Arts Editor
As a junior, I’ve experienced the stresses that come along with the last weeks of school a few times now. I’m not going to lie: it never gets easy. But overtime, I have learned ways to make it easier. Here are some tips that I’ve used to help power through this difficult time.
Get some sleep:
This may sound silly, but it’s true. Sleep is so important, especially for college students. When you don’t get enough sleep, your brain shuts down and makes it impossible to work. The only way to effectively get yourself through the last few weeks of school is to get as much sleep as you need.
Pro-tip: If you’re studying of doing homework late at night and feel stuck, put it away and go to bed. You’ll feel so much better looking at it with a fresh pair of eyes the next morning.
Take advantage of office hours:
All teachers have set hours, usually posted on the Fredonia website, where they are in their offices. This is a great time to go and talk to them about any concerns you may have. Not only will you be able to have one-on-one time with your professor, they will appreciate that you took time out of the classroom to discuss the course. This shows your professor how much you care about your grade.
Pro-tip: Email your professor and set up an appointment to come see them during their hours. This will ensure that they’ll actually have time to talk, saving you extra time during these busy weeks.
Manage your time:
Time management is so important. By the end of the semester, it feels like there are a million things to do in such a short amount of time. Planning ahead and making sure you get things done in advance is a great way to relieve your stress, as well as complete your obligations.
Pro-tip: Buy a planner and colored pens to write with. I like to use different colors to identify homework for different classes. This keeps me organized and aware of what I have coming up.
Reward yourself:
If you’ve been studying all day, give yourself a break. It’s important to remember that you still need time away from your schoolwork to maintain some sort of sanity. Talking from experience, I used to sit in my room and study for days straight for tests. Soon I realized working myself past my limit was not good. It actually stressed me out more since it was the only thing on my mind. Now I have a system. If I work all day, I reward myself. It can even be as small as taking a short nap or getting your favorite food for dinner. Doing this makes you feel better about your hard work while easing your mind.
Pro-tip: Fredonia has a bunch of fun things to do with your friends. My favorite stress reliever is going to Heenans on Tuesday nights for tacos and drinks. If you’re 21 or older, I highly recommend this for a chill yet fun night out.
Think positive thoughts:
This may be the most important tip of all. Don’t overthink final projects and tests. Thinking negatively only sets you up for disaster. Go into the last few weeks with positive thoughts. As long as you do what you need to, you will be fine. Don’t second guess yourself. Instead, remind yourself of how hard you’ve worked and how you know you’re going to do great.
Pro-tip: Google some inspirational quotes. I know this sounds weird, but I promise it’s true. Reading quotes always helps me calm down and put my life into perspective. It reminds me that other people have felt the exact same way that I have. If they can still managed to come out on top despite their struggle, then why can’t you and I?