5 Short n’ Sweet tips for a stellar end of semester

Hey y’all. As we get nearer to the end of semester and finals are starting to creep up on us, it’s getting harder and harder to stay afloat. Or at least I’ve definitely been feeling like I’m sinking.  

But alas! Worry not friends! The semester is not over yet and we still have time to make quite the impression ( 😉) and ensure this semester ends on a good note (an A sharp, to be precise!). Now I know no one has the time to sit and read a whole blog nowadays so don’t worry; I’ve taken some pointers from our queen Sabrina Carpenter and kept this short and sweet.  😇 

Here are my five short and sweet tips on how to have a stellar semester: 

1. You’ll just have to Taste – some of these best food spots on campus

Listen. It’s hard being a student. Not only is studying difficult, but on top of that you gotta deal with feeding yourself, too. I know it’s not easy to justify spending money on campus, but sometimes, on those days when assignments are really piling up; and you feel yourself waning, remember that you deserve a lil treat.  

 For those days, I highly suggest hitting up J’s Cafe in the UNC. Their meal options on campus are THE best by far and they are quite reasonably priced, too! My favourite go-to meal is the three-cheese egg drop sandwich and a strawberry matcha to go with it. It’s one of the most delicious sandwiches I’ve ever had the pleasure of biting into, and their matcha always gives me the perfect dose of energy I need to lock in and finish my assignments.  

 Another great food spot on campus to check out is Comma. Most of the meals you can order also come with an option of a side – either chips, greens or potato salad (protip: you will never regret getting the potato salad). Comma is also great for when you need to refresh yourself with some good coffee – that’s that sweet Espresso.  

 No, but seriously, make sure to keep yourself well-fed throughout the semester! Not only does it give you the energy to take on your finals, but it’s also good to make sure your needs are being met.  

2. Visit the Student Learning Hub to become the Sharpest Tool  

Feeling nervous to take on finals? Need some extra help to really wrap your head around some tough concepts? Looking for support to write an essay? The Student Learning Hub’s got you.  

I know way too many people who go all four years of school here without ever paying a visit to the Student Learning Hub, and I want to change that. The Student Learning Hub is honestly the plug for surviving finals. They provide a variety of services to help with your learning needs, such as: 

•  Helping with assignments and homework by contacting one of their subject tutors 

•  Providing supplementary learning lessons to hear a fresh new take on that one concept that’s been tripping you up in class 

• Brainstorming ideas for final projects and essays  

• Proofreading and editing papers 

• Getting a study plan together with one of their learning strategists  

Basically, no matter what your academic need is, the Student Learning Hub has got you covered. It’s always a good practice to ask for help when you’re feeling unsure of something. It’s especially good to ask ahead of time so you don’t have to wait till the week of the exam to ask your TA for help (real tho). And if you have waited till the last minute, don’t worry. The Student Learning Hub hosts Exam Jam every year just before the end of the semester, so if you need to get some last-minute studying done, join them on December 5!

3. Embrace Your Dumb and Poetic Side at the Inspired Word Cafe

Listen, obviously we all want to be academic weapons. You’re on your grind and you don’t have time for frivolous outings – I get it. But often I think we forget how important it is to have a non-academic activity or hobby in your life. The only way you can have a stellar semester is if you give yourself time to be a person, not just a student. A good way to do this is to attend an Inspired Word Cafe (IWC) session!  

 The IWC sessions are open mic events held monthly at BNA Burger. Whether you’d like to read a section of a story that’s a work in progress or some of your poetry, the IWC is the place to be. It’s a lovely opportunity to get involved with the community, so if you’re looking for some like-minded creative friends, look no further! Plus, the cherry on top is that it only costs $6 to $10 to attend. 

4. Join some clubs on campus – there’s more than just Slim Pickins to choose from!  

Another underrated aspect of uni and way of staying sane during the semester is to join a club. A giant perk of attending UBCO is the sheer abundance of clubs to choose from. We’ve truly got something for everyone. Have you always wanted to join an acapella group? We’ve got a club for that. Ever wanted to show off your skills in a chess match? We’ve got a club for that. Wanna get into a club that shares your same passion for fashion? We’ve got TWO clubs for that actually. Into medieval jousting? Believe it or not, there’s a club for that, too.  

There is no shortage of clubs to check out on campus, and this means there’s no shortage of community at UBCO either! Finals and the seasonal blues can feel really isolating, especially when you’re cooped up inside all day focusing on the grind. Instead of locking in all the time, unlock something new in yourself by participating in a club!   

P.S: You can check out all of the cool clubs we have on campus (like the ones I listed) on the SUO’s club directory page. Have fun exploring ☺️ 

5. And finally… Please Please Please have balance in your life!  

Again, as a fourth year I get more than anyone else how hard it is to do this. For my freshmen friends who find themselves struggling to prioritize, my final tip is to put your wellbeing and community first. To score those A+’s you’ve got to remember to take care of yourself. As students, burn out is something that is constantly looming on the horizon. If we forget to attend to ourselves and our needs, that burn out will hit you much sooner than you think.  

Trust me, I know it sounds obscene to suggest that you have fun while you try to study, but that really is the best tip I can leave with you guys. Make sure you’re well fed, you’re getting those full eight hours of sleep every night, and that you’re finding some time to move your body while you’re at it. I promise you, the more you invest in yourself, the greater the return will be. Especially academically.   

Well, that’s all folks. I hope you enjoyed this Short n’ Sweet list of tips, and that they can be of some use to you! Ooh and one last thing: If you haven’t already given it a listen – go stream Short n Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter. That’s what will REALLY secure your success this semester. Now get to it. Bye!  

Final tip before you go? Listen to Short n’ Sweet while you study this finals season:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nimrat Dhaliwal is a fourth-year English major originally from Calgary, Alberta. She is passionate about writing and creating art and is deeply invested in activism and social justice. You can almost always find Nimrat jamming out to music and ranting about her favourite albums. Or you can find her at the thrift, finding new pieces for her many incredible outfits. Her favourite thing to do in Kelowna is explore new places (and find the best places to eat) with her friends 🙂