Five Tips for Success in Your Last Semester of College
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Five Tips for Success in Your Last Semester of College

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“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” – Philippians 3:14

So you’ve made it this far! The end is in sight and you can practically see yourself walking across the stage to get your degree. Maybe you have a job lined up after graduation or maybe you have no clue what you want to do with the rest of your life. Here are five tips to power through the last semester and beyond!

  1. Don’t worry about everyone else. There will be people who will already have jobs secured going into your last semester. Don’t let that affect you! As awesome as that is for them, leading yourself into believing that this is a prerequisite for graduating will only do more harm than good.
  2. Find a good routine. While reading through some articles providing advice for those in their last semester, I’ve seen a lot of people saying “live it up” or “it will never get better than this” or even “this is your last chance to do [fill in the blank]. To me that sounds pretty depressing. Sure life will change once you walk across the stage, but that doesn’t mean you will have to radically change who you are. For some, the thought of post-college can be daunting and downright terrorizing. I’ve found maintaining a decent schedule helps with staying focused and in the present. Whether that’s listening to a daily podcast at the same time every day or taking a break and doing something you enjoy, even for ten minutes, this can work wonders for those feeling nervous about what’s to come. Providing a moment of stability in a hectic time of one’s life can really make a difference.
  3. Change your mentality. It’s tough growing up in the U.S. school system. Even just recently, we have seen the lengths some are willing to go to in order to try and put themselves in the best position post-college. “Take honors and AP classes in high school; add in some impressive extra-curricular activities; go to a target college; build your network; commit to summer internships; get a full-time offer”—the list goes on and on. None of these things are inherently bad, but when you find yourself in your last semester, with no next objective on the social timeline, it can be jarring. Explore your options, be excited about what’s in front of you! Your timeline is your own and no one else can decide for you what that entails.
  4. Seek out your own interests. For four years, you have been told what classes to take and essentially what to learn. Sure, you’ve chosen your own major, but it still hasn’t been done on your own terms. You’ve studied the text, memorized the notes, and taken the test. Don’t let that be the end of your learning. Grades still matter, but for the first time in your life, find the things that excite and interest you; no grades or strings attached. Let college be a springboard to finding your true interests, not a piece of paper saying “I’m done”.
  5. Tether yourself to friends and family. These are the people that will see your future maybe even before you; the ones who will believe in you before you do. They’ll encourage, inspire, and spur you on to reach heights you never thought you could. One day you will look back and realize how far you’ve come—and your family and friends will be the ones there every step of the way!

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7 Prompts For Journaling Every Day Of The Week

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4 weeks ago

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May 2, 2023

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Sometimes you just need to write it down.

Yeah I know, the last time you journaled was probably Mrs.McCarthy’s third-grade class. However, journaling can open your eyes to ideas realizations and aspirations. Keeping a journal to scribble down notes, or even just dreams can help you determine what you really want in life. Here are a couple of inspirational prompts.

 

1. Monday: Write five things you truly enjoy about yourself.

This social media driven society has taught us to compare ourselves to others. This prompt reminds us to step back and really appreciate what draws others to us.

2. Tuesday: If I had no fear today, what would I do?

Sometimes we stop ourselves from happiness because we’re scared. This prompt lets us realize that some of our goals are very attainable, we just have to put ourselves out there.

3. Wednesday: What can I do to nurture my mind, body, and soul?

This prompt pushes us to reflect on how kind we are to ourselves. It is important to take care for yourself.

4. Thursday: What is one thing you learned this week?

Usually, we walk through life worrying about our future and we don’t stop to recognize the little things.

5. Friday: What is the dominant emotion in your life right now?

This prompt is good when you’re feeling down. It challenges you to look introspectively so you may deal with your emotions in a healthy way.

6. Saturday: Who made you feel good this week?

Yes, journaling is an independent task but you can still appreciate your friends while doing it.

7. Sunday: Dear ___, this has been weighing me down….

This prompt will let you release steam and feelings you have been too scared to say. Even if you never give this letter to that person, it’s a good start to try to let it.

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Yes, I’m An English Major Who Doesn’t Read Much Outside Of Class

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4 weeks ago

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May 2, 2023

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Strange concept, I know.

Yes, I’m an English major. I’ve loved reading ever since I was little, and I’ve devoured thousands of pages of words in my lifetime from various genres that have all impacted the kind of person I’ve become today. Yes, I study English because I love reading and writing. I don’t mind essays. I don’t mind having to finish an entire book in one sitting.

 

But I don’t read for pleasure much outside of class.

Why?

Because I simply no longer have the time.

When I was in high school, I could finish three books in a week while splitting my time between assignments and exams. But now, while I’m at college, I’m stuck in a very different situation.

I’m no longer reading just for my English courses. I’m reading for my biology course, for my sociology course, and all of the other courses I’m taking.

I’m no longer reading the things I necessarily want to read. I’m reading what I have to read.

Instead of picking up a fun New Adult novel at the bookstore, I’m spending hours upon hours taking notes on classics like “Wuthering Heights” or trying to make sense of Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” I’m now reading to learn—more so than I ever was before.

Yes, you learn from everything you read. But there are very specific techniques and rules that I’m learning from the works I’ve been assigned that are unlike anything I’d pick up outside of class, and it’s necessary for me to devote my time in the right place.

I can’t focus on books that have no direct impact on my academic career. I need to focus on the pieces that will get me the degree I want.

I still love reading. I always will. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be an English major. I wouldn’t spend my days analyzing texts and writing essays if I didn’t love everything about it.

The sad reality is that my life is too chaotic at the moment to juggle reading for pleasure and reading for my degree. I have to make a choice.

And I’m making the choice that will allow me to one day get a job that will allow me to spend my evenings reading the books I want to read.

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Why You Should Start A Hobby In College

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May 2, 2023

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Because reading hundreds of pages of academic reading is exhausting. And so is scrolling through TikTok.

This is a response to “Yes, I’m An English Major Who Doesn’t Read Much Outside Of Class”

When people used to ask what I did for fun I didn’t really know what to say. In high school, I worked and ran cross country and track outside of classes. For most of my college experience, I didn’t have a lot of time outside of classes, work, and hanging out with friends to spend by myself, developing hobbies. Sure, I liked working out and watching Netflix, but other than that I didn’t really do anything for fun.

I came into this year, though, with new year’s resolutions blazing. One is to read at least one book every month, another is to learn some basic Japanese, and another is to learn how to crochet. I’ve incorporated each of these goals into my routine in some way, even if it’s spending twenty minutes working on them each day.

 

But why should you learn a new hobby during one of the busiest times of your life? Isn’t scrolling through social media after a day full of classes a good way to destress? Lowkey, I would agree that sometimes it is. However, there are many advantages to making time in your day to work on something you’re passionate about or want to learn more about!

Hobbies that require creativity, whether it’s painting or writing, help you have a different perspective and experience new things at school and work. Hobbies that involve physical activity create chemical changes in your body that allow you to de-stress. Even if the hobby doesn’t require physical activity, getting a short break from classes or homework to do something you enjoy can refresh your mind and help you prepare to handle challenges in the future.

Hobbies can allow you to explore different subjects without the stress that classes can sometimes put on you. As the original author notes, it can be hard to dedicate your time to a hobby that will have no direct impact on your academic career. As a psychology major, the content of my classes can sometimes be repetitive. The most recent book I read was about a man thriving in the Arctic with his dog. How cool is it to grow your knowledge outside of your comfort zone and take a break from what you study all the time? Perhaps a hobby that is different from reading would be best for the original author who reads all the time, like painting or jewelry making.

Hobbies can help increase your confidence too! The journey of growing through your hobby and becoming good at something gives you a sense of purpose outside of class and work. Even more so, you may grow outside of your comfort zone and become more confident about challenging yourself.

 

As a senior this year whose graduating in May, it’s nice to finally have more time to spend with friends and work on my hobbies due to my more open and flexible class schedule. Although the looming post-grad crisis is sure to make an appearance at some point this semester, it comforts me to know that I’ll have a diverse set of hobbies to continue to learn and grow, both as a person and through different skills.

 

Here are some places to start:

121 Creative Hobbies To Try in 2023

9 Unplugged Hobbies To Try In 2023

27 Hobby Ideas That Are Both Cheap And Fun To Try In 2023

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