By Muhammad Siddiqui
Web Editor
Now that we are in the final stretch of the semester, one of my more frequently asked questions as a tutor on campus is how to manage the increasing course load as the semester comes to a close. Even though some advice may vary with different classes or areas of study, there is some advice that I think applies to everyone.
Firstly, I would recommend getting a tutor for any class you are struggling in. Even though most students get a tutor near the start of the semester, it is never too late to sign up.
Tutors are free for all students at the College and are a great way to clarify what you do not know while finding other study strategies more specific to your class.
Since sessions are held weekly, they are also just a great way to make sure that you are studying a little each week and not cramming all the material before an exam.
On a similar note, students should take advantage of their professor’s office hours. I frequently take advantage of office hours to clarify material that I do not understand and have been told numerous times that I am one of the few students who actually taking advantage of the time.
More often than not, professors have said that the students who are struggling the most never come to office hours nor bother to schedule another meeting time to get help.
Whether it’s hosting office hours or group study sessions, professors make time in their busy schedules to help their students, and they want you to come to them. Even if you are not struggling in class, office hours can help you guide your studies.
There are also many smaller steps that students can take to help their studies. Ample sleep is hard to come by, but it can make a difference in the quality of your writing or your scores on tests. I have gone into many tests sleep deprived and have found myself unable to focus, which is the last thing you want if you have been studying hard.
Making sure you are studying in the right setting is equally crucial. With so many buildings across campus, you can usually find a good place to study that suits your preferences. In addition, surrounding yourself with the right people when studying is equally important. Even though having friends around can really help to mitigate stress during this time, it’s important to make sure that they are not distracting you when you are trying to focus on your material.
That brings me to my last point— find time to relax. As important as your studies can feel, especially with final exams around the corner, it's important that we remember to be kind to ourselves and destress when we feel too much pressure.
As you plan out your studies, remember to make time to hang out with friends, watch Netflix, read a book or do whatever takes your mind off the stresses of college life. After all, what we take away from our college experience will be less about the material we studied and more about the work ethic and memories we formed along the way.
