By Alana Hu, Staff Writer
With only six weeks left until the end of the semester, staying focused in classes becomes a struggle for many students.
Spring break marks the half-way point of the semester and, with its conclusion, students become aware of how quickly summer is approaching and do not concentrate as much on their studies.
Remember to look at the big picture
Successfully finishing the semester is possible if students are able to step back and revamp their approaches to their courses.
“The biggest thing is for students to think about their overarching goals and remember why you are here and what your career goals are,” said Tamarin Huelin, a counselor of counseling services.
Remind yourself of the purpose behind your homework
Huelin also encouraged students to examine what their calling is and to realize that the courses they must take will connect them to that calling. Assignments, projects and papers prepare students for the internships and jobs they seek this summer and after graduation.
Take charge of your daily schedule
Time management is a discipline that can be hard to maintain, too. With extracurricular activities, social events and studying for classes, creating a schedule can help. However, each individual will manage his or her time differently, Huelin said.
Organize your to-do list and manage your priorities.
Along with managing time, students need to work to get organized and prioritize. Huelin explained that creating some type of system will enable students to focus on which assignments need to be completed first and which tasks can be put off until later.
Her system consists of four bins labeled “in box,” “do now,” “later” and “pending.”
Living a healthy lifestyle consistently plays a large role in one’s ability to function, said Dustin Donner, operations manager of Wellness Services. A healthy lifestyle consists of exercising vigorously for at least an hour a day for three or four days a week.
“One is most alert, energized and able to focus when living under this healthy lifestyle,” Donner explained. “Facts are recalled easier.”
Huelin agreed that exercise positively affects a student’s performance.
“Exercise releases hormones and helps with stress and changes the neurochemistry of the brain,” she said.
Eat, sleep and be merry. Repeat.
Diet and sleep are crucial for performing well. Food serves as fuel to help the body function. Also, without proper nourishment, the brain is unable to function at its full potential.
On average, students need seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Sleep debt occurs when one does not rest enough, Huelin said.
When sleep debt occurs, it is a result of one’s lack of sleep and a challenge for one to regain the sleep that they have lost. Huelin suggests a brief power nap — 20 or 30 minutes.
