The academic calendar is full of peaks and valleys. We’re moving into the hard earned, greatly deserved valley of winter break. But, before we get there, we must travel the peaks of the last weeks of classes and finals week.
It seems the two weeks before finals actually are more stressful for students than the exam week itself. This is the time when papers and projects are due. To add to the stress, professors begin distributing final exam reviews, reminding students of how far behind they are in the reading or everything they must (re)learn before the exam.
As we climb to the peak of the last week before finals, I encourage you to maintain your pace. Yes, I know you can see the valley in the distance, but you must climb the rest of the mountain before you can reach it.
To manage this, make yourself one final task list for the semester. Prioritize your tasks by day and importance. Complete your items one step at a time. Then, take this advice from Daytimer about Checking Off Lingering Tasks. When you reach the end of your finals, make one of three decisions for each lingering task on your list. Either:
1. Schedule it – Choose a time/date (after winter break, if possible) to address the task.
2. Park it – Place it on your master to-do list and let it go for now.
3. Delete it – If the task has lingered most of the semester on your list, it’s probably not that important. It’s time to make choices. If you can delete tasks on your list, do so. If they’re important enough, they’ll return.
Good luck climbing your last mountain. I hope you rest and relax in the valley.
