A Student’s Guide to the End of the Semester

This is exciting because it marks the completion of another series of classes and promises that the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks are coming soon. However, it also is a stressful time. As the semester winds down, seemingly every class has a project or exam or essay coming up-perhaps all of the above!

Since the end of the semester is commonly an academically challenging period, I talked with an upperclassman, Ryan Palmisano, to get some advice for surviving the end of the semester and putting your best foot forward. He is a junior at MSJ, and because he has had several more years than me in college, I looked to him for some time-tested advice. I have organized his recommendations into three broad categories: organization and planning, goal setting and priorities, and study strategies.

1. Organization and Planning

Having effective organization and planning ahead are both important skills that help anyone be successful in the classroom. This starts by checking the syllabi to understand when each exam is, what format it is going to be, and what content is covered on the assessment. Use this information to rank upcoming exams by priority; based on when the exams are and what they cover, you can map out when to study for which one, and for how long.

It is important to realize that exam preparation begins long before the actual exam! Just taking notes in class and paying attention helps you to absorb the information as it is being taught. If possible, during lectures, download (or print) a copy of the presentation, which can save time by allowing you to focus on writing down the important information which may not be expressly written on the slides. By taking comprehensive notes, you set yourself up for success later when you need to review for the exam or complete a project.

Throughout the semester--and especially at the end when many projects and tests are looming--having your own system of keeping track of dates and deadlines is vital. Whether it be through a physical planner, a Google or Word Document, your phone's calendar app--every student should find some way to keep track of deadlines. By having a comprehensive place where you can see all your upcoming assignments side-by-side, you can stay on top of what's due and also gauge what you must do each day to keep up with classes and other commitments.

1. Goal Setting and Priorities

Keeping track of deadlines and being organized are important, but if you don't set achievable goals for yourself, you likely won't succeed academically.

However you keep track of assignments, use that list every day to make a to-do list. Each day, determine your most important upcoming responsibilities and prioritize them. How you set goals is significant, though, as you must be intentional in how you frame them to achieve the best outcomes.

Ryan specifically describes using S.M.A.R.T. goals, setting goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. The best goals--the ones that you will be most motivated to complete--are small, breaking down larger tasks into more digestible steps. By splitting up for work for larger tasks--like writing a paper or studying for an exam--this encourages students to space out assignments and also to get started earlier on them.

Along with setting appropriate goals to help facilitate academic success, Ryan also reminds that students have to set priorities beyond the classroom. While it is great to hang out with friends and have fun, it is also important to not neglect one's academics for socializing. This might mean occasionally cancelling plans (or not planning something) if a big project or test is coming up-or proposing a study session instead.

1. Study Strategies

Finally, once a student is organized and has set goals, it is time to execute the plan-to study and get the work done! For every student, a different learning strategy will be most effective. It is important to find the system and habits that work for you and to keep with it. This means learning how you learn and understanding that if something isn't working--a study strategy or schedule for example--some sort of change is necessary. (The Learning Center or each class's professor are great resources for advice on how to prepare for a specific course.) Once you find what works, stick with it and, over time, it will develop into a habit.

As you set goals and work on various tasks, pacing is important--this means starting early but also taking breaks. Whether this looks like moving around between working on various subjects or socializing for a few minutes, taking breaks is very important; this helps prevent fatigue and burnout, and helps you do your best work! Associated with this is sleeping. Being well-rested before an exam is crucial--even if it replaces some late-night studying. No matter what the assessment is, a good night's sleep always will have a positive effect on your work.

All of this advice--from keeping track of deadlines and staying organized, to setting goals and priorities, to following productive study strategies--ultimately culminates in establishing effective study habits. And from strong study habits flow strong academic performance and the best outcomes.