The end of the semester can be tough. Deadlines, late nights, and concern over grades can add up to a lot of stress, and it's essential that you take care of yourself during this hectic time. The Counseling Center is here when you need us.
How to Reach Us
Call us at 217-333-3704 to make a same-day appointment. Emergency consultations are available without an appointment, but if possible, please call first. If you need assistance evenings or weekends, the Crisis Line is available 24/7. They can be reached at 217-359-4141.
#FinishStrongIllinois
The last week of classes, we'll be all over campus giving out finals care packages, sharing info about taking care of yourself during this stressful time, and providing encouragement. We'll also be sharing tips on social media with the #FinishStrongIllinois. Follow us and feel free to share your pics and stories about how you're getting through the end of the semester. Here's a schedule of our events:
Monday, April 23
Tuesday, April 24
- Grainger Library, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Tuesday @7 Workshop: #FinishStrongIllinois Finals Prep
Wednesday, April 25
- Undergraduate Library, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thursday, April 26
Friday, April 27
- Illini Union Anniversary Plaza, 11-2 p.m.
Thursday, May 3 (Reading Day)
- Test Anxiety Management Workshop, 12-12:45 p.m., Student Services Building Second Floor (please call 217-333-3704 to register!)
- ARC, 1-4 p.m. (Lots of other stress-less activities will be going on at ARC during this time!)
Tips for Surviving the End-of-the-Semester
- Get sleep. This is number one because it’s important and often overlooked. It’s tempting to pull all-nighters to study and finish assignments, but when you’re sleep deprived, it’s much harder to focus, do quality work, and regulate your emotions.
- Make a Plan. If you haven’t already, identify your priorities for the rest of the semester and make a schedule of when you’ll work on accomplishing them.
- Be Realistic. If you haven’t done your best work in a course all semester, it’s not likely you’ll be able to completely turn things around in the last week. Do what you can to finish strong, but know that worrying won’t change the outcome. After the semester ends, brainstorm what you can do differently in the future.
- Realize everyone’s stressed. When people are overworked and facing deadlines, they get tense. This can lead to conflicts. If tempers flare, take a few deep breaths before things escalate.
- Remember “this too shall pass.” If you feel especially stressed, know that it’s not always going to feel this way. Try to remind yourself of future plans you have to look forward to.
- Put off making important decisions. If possible, focus on getting through the semester before making big decisions about relationships, majors, career, etc.
- Prioritize self-care. Make sure you plan to do things that make you feel your best. Things to consider are exercising, taking a quick nap to recharge, or scheduling time with friends to de-stress.
- Know what your distractions are and avoid them. Distracting yourself with social media or a TV show can be enjoyable, but when your time is limited, it’s important to curb how much time you’re spending on things that don’t directly contribute to your goals.
- Focus on the big picture. Remember that getting your degree and accomplishing your career goals is like a marathon, and the semester is a just leg of the race. In other words, one semester isn’t going to guarantee your success or doom you to a lifetime of failure.
- Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. If things feel overwhelming, there are many resources to help you. The Counseling Center has initial appointments open each weekday, and if you feel you’re having a mental health emergency, you can always come in without an appointment.
Additional Resources
Sleep Hygiene 101: Getting the Zzzzs You Need
10 Tips for Finals Survival
Overcoming Procrastination
Test Anxiety
Time Management