With only a few weeks remaining in the semester, most of my clients start feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and often burnt out. We’re too far from the starting line of the semester to have that sense of renewed focus and optimism while also too far from the finish line (Yes, many of my best metaphors are from running). It’s the trudge through the middle. Here’s what students can do to finish strong – maybe even exceed their goals.

+ Get 8 hours of sleep and wake up at the same time 6 days per week.

+ Take 15 minutes on Sunday to plan the upcoming week including study sessions, doing homework, doctor appointments, academic advising meetings, etc. 

+ Aim for creating routine – behaviors that one does consistently regardless of thoughts and feelings (eg. brushing your teeth)

+ Plan for fun things so there’s something to look forward to each day, week, and month.

+ Create the Final Countdown (such a great song immortalized by Gob on Arrested Development) – kind of an excuse for me to post those links but also an important psychological tool. When we’re past the halfway mark, having some sort of countdown anchors us to immediate demands while also propelling us forward. I once competed in a desert ultramarathon where the only sign of progress was passing sagebrush and boulders along the dirt road. Instead of looking too far up the trail, I focused on the next object as my goal. I knew that every rock I passed meant one step closer to the finish. For students, posting the number of days remaining in the semester on a bathroom mirror and crossing them off each day is a solid way of pushing through each day. 

Thanks so much for reading.