How to Handle the Worst Semester Ever

Written by Sarah Angley

Everyone has had that semester where "syllabus week" is not syllabus week. It's going over the syllabus; then hitting the ground running on day one with lecture material. Where you know, after only one lecture, that this class may just kill you. Where you think to yourself, "what was I thinking when I made my schedule?" We've all had this happen at least once. If you haven't, pray you never will. 

But that class doesn’t have to kill you, you can handle a heavy course load and still have a social life. The stress will not ruin your life if you know how to handle it.

So how do you handle it? For me, this is my semester that could kill me. But after talking with friends and handling other difficult semesters, I've found ways to keep organized that will make this semester manageable. 

Plan ahead - you should know when your assignments are do and properly plan out your time so you can complete them before it becomes time to cram

Make to do lists - don’t let yourself forget about things that you have to do; also, it feels great to check things off of a tangible list

Focus - work on one thing at a time so that you work is focused and worth your time

Give yourself free time - we all need time to relax and de-stress. Don't let yourself get to the point where you are burnt out and can't function

Don’t let yourself fall behind - once it starts going downhill it will be hard to stop. If you feel yourself falling behind, ask for help, go to office hours, get a tutor or find a better way to study, or keep track of assignments