AND NOW THE SECOND HALF: NAVIGATING THE MID SEMESTER HUSTLE

Introduction

We often find ourselves at a pivotal moment in our lives. In this semester, that moment is here. The eleven-week semester is still a struggle for some students to get used to. It might seem a little frightening to realize that although we are still in the first week of February, we are already in the second half of the semester which means that tests will begin soon. The time for action has begun.  Hope is not lost in the second half. However, if you don’t sit up, there is a high likelihood that you could lose the game.

To some, it is in this year that we will see New Year resolutions through. Some resolutions only last a few weeks, while some disciplined individuals can keep it going for a few months. Although, that’s enough time for it to become a habit 

THE NEW YEARS

We all look to a new beginning with a new form of excitement. A new school, a new session, a new semester, a new year. We see these instances as a new way to reinvent ourselves and fix past mistakes by starting again.

Quite a several students enjoyed this two-in-one opportunity and made resolutions for an academic comeback in 2024. These resolutions would have included vague goals like more time studying and more specific ones like never missing a class. These resolutions are a hallmark of the new year, and New Year’s Day wouldn’t be the same without them. These resolutions are integral for academic success.

Although the match is in the second half, this does not mean we have lost the opportunity to score a goal; after all, we still have 5 weeks left. This is the opportunity to recommit to broken promises made at the beginning of the year. It is not too late to begin. Some courses have just begun to organize tests. There is still time to ace these tests, time to begin preparing for examinations and make that academic comeback dream a reality.

TO FAIL TO PREPARE….

We have all heard the saying that to fail to prepare is to prepare to fail. This statement has become a cliché, yes. But clichés have a basis. The students with the highest scores in class do not have those scores because they have a photographic memory. The chances are, they have those scores because they began studying for exams at least a month before it began. This increases the likelihood that they understand the material and can give their best in the examination hall.

Consistency is key. Another cliché. But a 5-day streak of studying and going to classes and another week of academic apathy helps no one. Be consistent with your goals and face procrastination head-on.

Procrastination is responsible for the destruction. The effects of procrastination are detrimental in the long run. After putting off important tasks, anxiety and stress levels become higher as the deadlines draw close. Because of the short time left and the stress to keep up, the work turned is not up to par.

We must utilize every academic resource at our disposal. From using the textbooks at Kenneth Dike Library to using faculty libraries, websites, AI Learning tools and so on. Study groups are also a valuable resource as they can help to provide accountability partners. Collaborative learning is exponentially better than studying on our own. It is important to seek help from classmates, seniors and lecturers who may be able to shed light on difficult topics.

Although there are only five weeks left, it is almost certain that there will be setbacks and challenges that they will face. Despite these challenges, you must remain firm and unwavering. After overcoming several challenges, students are more likely to be resilient and resilience is a necessary skill to achieve any goal. However, stand firm and stand strong till the end of the match.

We often find ourselves at a point, where a single decision can mean a loss or a win. This is that moment and we must reflect on the decisions we made at the beginning of the semester. Time to set new goals if necessary and