My students send me celebration text messages after finals.

Every semester completed is one step closer to graduation. In May we cross one semester’s finish line. But only those that run the race get to cross that finish line.

The race starts on week one of the semester, when we map out assignment due dates on a four-month calendar for the next 16-weeks of a long college semester.

Around week 4, the first round of exams begin. Some courses will have 4 exams per semester, some just two or three and a major paper or project.

The next round of exams usually occurs at the 8-week mark, halfway through the semester. These midterm exams give the student a sense of how they are doing grade wise. Mid-terms all happen within five days of each other. So it’s like finals week except you’re still going to class and taking notes.

Every completed course is one step closer to graduation.

The next big date in the semester is drop date. Hopefully, you’ll get one more exam grade before drop-date.

Drop-date is a strategic exit for the student who is failing the course. Good advice: Before you drop the course to avoid the failing grade, be sure to talk with the professor and your advisor.

After spring break, it is a mad downward fall to finals. Most of my students get slammed with major papers, projects, and a third exam around weeks 12-14 of the semester. Then boom, just like that, it is the week before finals. You’re tired and stressed and studying like a crazy person.

Set your goals for the semester.

Finally, finals are done and it’s the end of the semester. A finish line. We celebrate every semester end. We celebrate all grades that earn a credit towards college graduation. Each finished semester is one step closer to graduation.