Getting ahead during the mid-semester grind: What your profs want you to know

Whether you’re in your first term at the University of Lethbridge or your last, the mid-semester stress can really start to take a toll on even the most experienced of students.

Sometimes asking for help is hard! So we took the first step for ULethbridge students and went to the best source for educational words of wisdom: your professors! These tidbits are just a start; for more, never be afraid to reach out to your instructors, or access any of the many supports available to students.

Slow down and take care of yourself

“Stop working. No, really, I mean it. Go get some fresh air, take a nap, spend some time with a hobby or a friend or a pet. School is just school, but you can’t learn if you aren’t ok, and you definitely deserve a break right now.”
Dr. Sheila McManus
Faculty of Arts & Science (History)

“Make time for yourself! There are so many things going on in each semester; classes, assignments, essays and papers, and more that are all calling for our attention. But when we don’t dedicate time to pull ourselves out of the work, our mental well-being suffers! Carve out specific times in your day or week to allow yourself to just be. Whether it’s 15 minutes to read a book (that you’ve chosen!) with a cup of tea, or getting a run in at the gym with a killer playlist going, making sure you give yourself that ‘off’ time to help you keep your focus when you are doing the ‘work’ that needs to be done!”
Dr. Nick Sullivan
Faculty of Fine Arts (Music)

Your calendar should be your best friend

“The most important lesson I have learned about dealing with stress, as a student and teacher, and now in working with university students, is to set out a to-do list and prioritize what needs to be done for each day and week. Start with the tasks that will be the most challenging or time consuming, once you get those tasks completed, the euphoria of completing the toughest tasks leads to motivation to take care of a few more responsibilities. I use a checklist for this, and feel rewarded by every checkmark, but I know of students who use post it notes and enjoy tearing them off their ‘to-do wall’.”
Dr. Doug Checkley (BSc/BEd '05, MEd '10, PhD '20)
Faculty of Education

“Good time management is more important than ever right now. As things ramp up and you get busier with term papers, exams, and other assignments going into this last stretch of the semester, don’t lose focus and don’t let things slide. Plan your time carefully so that you can keep up on all assignments, readings and upcoming exams without falling behind while also taking care of your mental and physical health. It's a lot easier said than done, but you've come this far already so it'll be worth it!”
Wayne Lippa
Faculty of Arts & Science (Chemistry & Biochemistry)

Don't wing it when it comes to group projects

“If you are working on a group project, encourage the group to set interim checkpoints to share their work. Often groups wait until each member has finished their piece of the project before they share with each other. At that point it is too late if someone has taken a wrong path. If members periodically share work in progress, the pieces will fit together much better at the end. It can also give you peace of mind knowing that your group members are moving their parts forward (or help encourage them to do so).”
Dr. Debra Basil
Dhillon School of Business

Actually talk to your profs (they aren't scary!)

“Make sure to get to know your professors and instructors. We love to make personal connections with our students and by building those initial connections, it makes it much easier to go and ask for help when needed. You will feel so much more at ease talking to your instructors about your coursework if you take the time to build a relationship. We really appreciate it and look forward to getting to know our students personally.”
Jen LeGrandeur (BA/BEd '96, MEd '16)
Faculty of Education

Embrace the ups and downs

“The grade does not define who you are or how good a student you may be. Sometimes getting a B or C in the class you’re struggling with is a victory and reflects more on your ability to persevere and learn than any A. I’m aware that the grade counts, in so many ways, but it is not the be all and end all. And those Bs and Cs are lessons that you can put into your toolkit for future classes. They can be badges of honour and strength, not failure.”
Brendan Cummins (BA '16, MA '18)
School of Liberal Education