How to End the Term Off Strong

Written by Max Balzer, 12/09/2023

The term is quickly coming to an end and the Winter Break is (really) right around the corner, but it can feel like there’s still a lot to get through first. There are extracurriculars, assessments, events, and two more weeks in class to finish out. While I’m by no means an expert in study & wellbeing strategies, here are some tips I’m using to coast to the end of the term.

Sleep

I’ve found it really important to prioritize sleep even amid all the craziness of the weeks before the Winter Break. While it’s important to get a good amount of sleep each night, about 8-10 hours according to the National Institutes of Health, it’s also important to get good quality sleep. Putting my phone away a little bit before bedtime and limiting caffeine intake 10 hours before I go to bed has gone a long way to helping me get better sleep. Getting a full night of sleep the night before a test is much better for you than staying up late studying.

Studying

If you’re like me, you have lots of tests to study for and assignments to work on. I find it useful to create my workspace — for me, that’s my desk — where you feel you can work with limited distraction. Putting my phone away from me as I’m working helps me to stay focused and resist the muscle memory of picking it up. Also, I use a Pomodoro timer to keep me focused. That’s 25 minutes of solid work, and a 5-minute break, alternating until your work is done. I use the Focused Work app which has Pomodoro timers built in. When I need to put my head down and get through the material, this helps me stay on track and get it done.

Balance

While it is super important to prioritize your work, balancing your work time with time for yourself is important too (and can make your work time higher-quality). Make time to hang out with your friends and family, and get up from your desk to go outside (if it doesn’t get too cold) or away from your workspace. I also like to snack while I’m studying, which I’ve found keeps me focused. It’s also important to choose foods to eat which help your brain keep going, like fruit and protein- and fat-rich foods.

Good luck, York! You got this.