The snow is gone for good (we hope), the trees are leafing out and you can finally feel the heat of the sun on your neck when you head outside after a hard day studying. But maybe you haven’t actually noticed those things, because the pace of that intersessional course that seemed like a really good idea in March is far more sprint than marathon.

Don’t panic, but do take the time to make sure you’re on track. Here’s some advice from our counsellors in Wellness and Psychological Services.

1. Hit the ground running

If you thought the pace of a Fall or Winter course was gruelling, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Even more so than in regular semesters, you need to hit the ground running in Spring or Summer courses. You could start a course on Monday and have a midterm or test on Friday, so planning your time effectively is critical.

And while it may seem like you have a lot of spare time when you’re only going to class twice a week, beware the temptation to procrastinate. Managing the hectic pace of short semesters means staying on top of things. That can mean putting life on hold a bit and making your coursework your priority. Using the time when you’re not in classes well is key. Letting too many things slip, and you’ll find yourself doing major catch-up work, and that can be very stressful.

2. Now’s the time to let your organizational skills shine

If you’re looking for a tried and true test to evaluate your study skills, taking a course in Spring or Summer is it. You need to be exceptionally organized, whether that’s in terms of how you schedule your day or how you manage tasks.

If you know you have to write a research paper, for example, start early and break it down into its components – look at what you need to do each day, or even each hour – depending on how tight the class schedule is.

If you have a good handle on the preliminary background for a paper – using the library, getting the resources and filtering them – then you can focus on the writing itself. There’s not a whole lot of room for inefficient strategies in a compressed course.

3. Find your happy place

For some people, the optimal study space is at home, for others it’s the library and still others do their best studying on the grass outside of Building 6. Mixing it up can be a good thing, but the place you choose should be wherever you’re most productive.

4. Beware of information fatigue

Wherever your study sweet spot is, try to step away every so often.

When you’re taking in a lot of information, it can be hard to assimilate it all. It’s important to find and maintain balance in your day – take a break and go to Sport and Wellness for a workout or a swim – but understand that even with balance, your days will probably be long.

5. Ask for help if you need it

The volume of information in Spring and Summer courses can be heavy, so get in tune with how well you’re handling it. If you need help, ask for it early.

Never lose sight of the fact that your instructor is a wonderful resource. Have a plan with a tutor or study group in your back pocket, and remember that even though things are quiet on campus, Wellness and Psychological Services and Writing and Learning Services are still available.

When it comes to study groups, make sure the one you’re in is effective – and walk away if it’s not. And if you think you might need a tutor, start looking for one early. It’s not as simple as calling someone on the tutor registry and asking for help. You really need to think of it as if you’re interviewing someone for a job. The relationship needs to work and fit with your learning style.

6. Know your limits

Spring semester comes right on the heels of the Winter term and if you just finished taking four or five courses, inevitably there is a certain amount of fatigue that comes with that. It’s important to recognize your own upper threshold to stress, strain and distress. When you’re studying and need to muscle your way through a lot of course content, it can be tough.

So if you find yourself feeling impatient, cranky or anxious, pause for a moment. Paying attention and taking a bit of time for self-care can rejuvenate your energy. Plowing through may be counterproductive. Go to the gym for a bit or head outside – sometimes a 15-minute break is enough to clear you mind, and help things start to come together and make sense again. 

7. Keep your eye on the prize

Focusing on the finish line – whether it’s three weeks from now or the end of June – can help keep you going. After all, the beauty of Spring and Summer courses is that you learn a lot in a short amount of time.