How To Make the Most of Your End of Winter Semester!

Not ready for the year to end? Make the most of the time left!

By Mari Reyes-Toidze April 17, 2024
How To Make the Most of Your End of Winter Semester!

With less than two weeks left of the semester, there have been a ton of lasts for people. Last time going to lecture, last assignment to submit on Canvas, last time walking around your residence hall. While all of these things are very nostalgic, I think it is super important to savor and truly enjoy your last days on campus as opposed to being upset about them.

With finals starting to catch up with everyone, I think it is essential that we take a deep breath and remember to enjoy the last days on campus. While studying is crucial, try doing it outside instead of in the UgLi (the Shapiro Undergraduate Library). As the days warm up in Ann Arbor, you can find students all over the Diag, lounging in hammocks and doing work. Even when trying to lock in, it is very relaxing spending time with friends and just soaking up the sun. I find it best to go into areas with fewer people as it is less distracting when trying to study outside. The most populated places are always the Law Quad and the Diag so stay away from those if you want to have a more chill environment while studying.

We all know that finals are critical to your success, but so is having balance. Yes work hard, but also enjoy your last days on campus. Take advantage of the free events that the university has to offer. Michigan Student Life always sends out an email every Sunday that has a ton of fun activities that students can attend to help students cope with their stress. I think these events are great opportunities to relax and still feel productive even if you are taking a break from studying.

One of my favorite things to do when savoring my last days at school is to just enjoy my time with my friends. I live pretty far from my closest friends at school so I try to savor the time I have with them. Even if it involves studying, going on walks, or eating meals together, I try to do these things in the company of others so that I feel like I spent my time best with them. Even the smallest interactions with my friends mean the world to me, and it makes me feel more fulfilled and less upset about leaving school the more time I spend with them.

I know that these are not all things that are meant for everyone, but the more time I spend doing the things I love in Ann Arbor the more excited I become about coming back to school in the fall. While I am sure all of the incoming students are so excited to start their journey at the University of Michigan, the biggest piece of advice I can give is to savor your time. It goes by super fast, and you will always feel like you just got to school, but trust me when I say you will feel so much better about your years at Michigan if you make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.

Mari Reyes-Toidze
Mari Reyes-Toidze

Mari Reyes-Toidze is a Stamps sophomore hoping to pursue a bachelors degree in both arts and architecture. She is from the city of Philadelphia and is a huge Eagles fan. She is part of the Michigan Club Swim Team and is on the membership team for her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta. She is also a campus manager for the company UTees. In her free time she enjoys reading, painting, and swimming.