Tips #28

You may have read the best selling nonfiction book Seabiscuit: An American Legend. It's about a horse, a jockey, a trainer, and an owner who were all thought to be washed up. This group captured the imagination of the American people during the depression. The horse, Seabiscuit, started winning and eventually he raced against War Admiral, in what many consider to be the greatest horse race in history.

Seabiscuit had an impressive lineage, but he had spindly legs and didn't race well as a youngster. He was about to be put out to pasture. But his owner gave Seabiscuit a last chance with a new trainer and jockey. Seabiscuit was a true underdog, but he had the heart of a champion. The story will be made into a movie, if you want to find out more. Watch for it this summer.

About this time in the semester, I start feeling like I am ready to be put out to pasture. The routine seems tiresome, and there are many distractions that come with warmer weather and the upcoming summer. When there are just a few weeks left in the semester, I have to remind myself to quit horsing around. As I approach the finish line--the end of the semester--I look for an extra burst of energy to carry me through. I remind myself that the payoff for all of the hard work that I have done happens after I cross the finish line, not before.

As your semester comes to a close, take some time to plan out how you will cross the finish line in style. Don't get stressed out. Make a list of all of the things that you need to accomplish and break down the difficult tasks into their component parts. Estimate how long each task will take. Determine when the best days/times are for you to complete these papers, study sessions and projects. Check out your final exam schedule, and plan when you should studying for your final exams. You may be an underdog at this point in the semester, but if you budget your time wisely, get enough sleep, continue to exercise, avoid excessive caffeine, work hard, and stay focused, you will do your best and become a champion. Then you can enjoy your summer break!