Finals and Some Other End of Semester Tips
Hello loves (: So I know that I've been missing in action for a little over a week, but life has been pretty hectic (working two jobs and being a full time student) so I thought that I'd mention some tips that I do when a semester is about to end for all you students out there, or anyone in general who wants to get organized! So let's begin!
1. Study for finals!
-This definitely has to be the tip I slack on the most. I feel like I've already done enough work throughout the semester and I'm just like ehh eff it whatever grade I get it is what it is. WRONG! Most professors actually weight the final over 25% of your grade so if you happen to completely tank that final regardless of how high a standing you had the whole semester your grade just straight plummeted you'll be lucky if you manage a C in the class (take my advice actually STUDY!)
2. A Little Appreciation Never Hurt Anyone!
-I have a little tradition I started the fall semester of my freshmen year. Each semester on the final day of class (or the actual day of the final) I give all of my professors a thank you card with a nice personal note inside to thank them for the semester. Now obviously for the teachers I felt wasted my time I buy them the cheaper card and write a short generic thanks, while on the other hand the teachers that I love get a card worth $4.99 and a beautiful note of thanks that I probably proofread over 2 times to ensure that I expressed how great of a job they did throughout the semester! Now there are two reasons that I do this: The first reason being that everyone likes to feel that they are appreciated and although you may not have appreciated the papers you had to write or the super hard tests you had to take throughout the semester, you have to admit your teachers (for the most part) put in a lot of time to teach you and read your papers as well; and because of that they deserve a little appreciation. The second reason I give them a thank you note is because at some point in your life, especially when applying for grad schools or scholarships you will need a teacher to write you a letter of recommendation, and although your writing this thank you note won't guarantee them saying yes to writing you a note (and especially doesn't guarantee they'll write you a GOOD note) doing this will make you stick out in their mind, and will make them more likely to remember you in a good light if they do choose to write you that recommendation letter.
3.Out With the Old In With The New
-The final tip that I personally do is every year at the end of the semester I get rid of any clutter I have accumulated throughout the semester (symbolic when I start the next semester almost like a clean slate) but it also helps me feel less scattered and more focused like I'm ready to take on whatever may come my way in the next semester. Along with this I also sit and assess how far I have come these last two years and think about where I plan on going next semester, and you'd be surprised how much you may have changed and what you can discover about yourself in such a short amount of time, whether it be academically, what you want to be in life, or something as simple as a new hobby you've grown passionate about. Take the end of the semester as a time to reconnect with yourself and figure out what makes you happy before the school grind comes along again.
And finally ENJOY YOUR BREAK! I know many of us are going to be working so we can save up when school starts so we don't have to work so hard throughout the school year instead focusing on classes, but this summer take the time to actually enjoy the weather , get outside and get involved! Go somewhere new, take a roadtrip, head to the pool, heck sunbathe for a day but make sure to take some time to relax and have fun! God knows with how stressful college is most students don't have that luxury for four months at a time so take advantage while you can! And for all the graduates of 2014 good luck and have a banging ass summer you've earned it!
