April is often the most intense month for many college students. Spring fever has set in, faculty find themselves behind and scrambling to cover material, and students who do not yet have concrete summer (or post grad) plans are increasingly anxious. So, rather than write a new blog post, I am sharing previous posts that are worth pushing out again as they address various issues common during this time of the year. That way, new subscribers and followers can benefit from them, longtime subscribers who intended to read them (but did not), have a second chance 😉 and individuals who read them previously can revisit them within the current context or consider sharing them with a parent or student who might find them useful given the time of year.
“Failing” or Feeling Waaaay Behind
It is critical to remember that each term in college is unique. As we approach the last quarter of the spring semester, some students will express concern that they are “failing.” While your student may not be earning the grades they expected (or frequently earned in high school), it is critical to remember that “A Grade of C is Not an F” and the importance of thinking about grades in a larger context. Furthermore, how students responds to and what they learn from setbacks and disappointing performances or experiences is closely connected to their ability to thrive in college. “Academic Disappointment or ‘Failure’…Now What?” provides reflection prompts to help students develop academic resilience and persistence in the face of “failure”. This is a critical time for students to reflect and seek advice and guidance from advisors. Finally, some students may find they have fallen behind in one or more courses. Now is the time for them to take inventory, consider various options, and make strategic decisions about how to finish the semester as strong as possible. My blog post “Uh Oh! I’m Behind…Tips for the Final Push” provides a framework for students who find themselves in a hole.
Finals Frenzy
As students head into finals season, my number one tip is that they approach this time with intention and discipline. I strongly encourage students to plan out their study days and final exam period with a realistic, detailed, day-by-day, hour-by-hour schedule from the last day of classes until their last exam or end-of-semester deliverable. The shift from a highly structured semester, often with very little “free” time, to a relatively unstructured one to two week final exam period can be unsettling and can easily result in ineffective use of time, inefficient studying, and sleep deprivation. Check out my “no-all-nighters” post reminding students of the importance of sleep and providing some tips for end-of-semester planning.
Significant Decisions
Some students apply to college knowing (or thinking they know…wink, wink) what they will study. Others enroll, completely undecided or trying to decide between multiple areas of interest. Spring is a common time for students to select or change their major. My “Major Decision” post strongly encourages students to engage in a multi-faceted, dynamic process before committing to a major whenever possible. While I am revisiting ideas around selecting a major and as students head into their various summer experiences, I’d be remiss if I did not also bring attention to my previous post to “Stop the Credentialing Craze.” In this post I remind students that while generally doing more in high school made them more competitive during the college admissions process, being prepared to achieve their post-graduate goals will rarely depend on who many majors, minors, certificates or other credentials they have acquired. Engaging in a thoughtful process to decide about one’s academic (and extracurricular) pursuits will go a long way in maximizing a student’s return on investment, level of satisfaction with their education, and supporting them to be “Competitive and Compelling“ for their post-graduate pursuits.
Speaking of post-graduate pursuits, seniors who are counting the days until graduation are likely experiencing a mixture of emotions, regardless of whether or not they have definitive plans. It is normal to be a bit anxious when thinking about all of the changes and impending, new responsibilities. Additionally, students who will not continue their education may feel a bit melancholy or nervous about losing their identity as “a student.” After all, it’s an identity they have strongly held for the majority of their life thus far. Check out “Who Am I if I am Not a Student” to understand what some seniors may be experiencing as they anticipate their various transitions and learn some tips to help seniors cope with their shifting identities.
Student-Athletes
Whether they realize it or not, many of the approaches that student-athletes take and strategies they use to succeed in their sport can be applied to their coursework and academic experience! Check out my post from July 2022 “Level-Up Your Academic Game as a Student-Athlete, ” that encourages student-athletes to apply sport preparation and training strategies to their courses, all year long. Given it’s the end of the semester, some may be particularly applicable during this last push and help them to end the semester strong and have a peak performance during finals.
As every student moves through the next month or so, I encourage them to stay present and focused, prioritize seeking support, and trust the process. Take time to enjoy their friends, get good rest, and focus on what they do know and can do rather than what they don’t or can’t. Easier said than done, I know…no foolin’!
About
Beth A. Howland is a higher education consultant and college student success coach based in Ithaca, NY. She is the founder of College Navigators, LLC. Check out all of Beth’s previous posts about college student success.
