Sharpening Your Saw: How to Stay Effective During Finals Week
Caroline Sweeney | Editor
As the semester comes to an end, it can be a time of stress and dread. Whether you're trying to stretch out your final paper to meet the word count when you're out of ideas, putting the finishing touches on an end-of-semester project you should've spent more time on, or furiously studying for a final exam, trying to remember everything from the past 14 weeks, it can all feel overwhelming. It's easy to get swept up in the mayhem of finals. That's why I try to remember something I learned from a book I read years ago, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. This self-help book suggests habits that can help you succeed personally and professionally. One habit Covey recommends is to "sharpen your saw," but what does that mean?
Covey explains that, just like you need sharp tools when building something, you need to "sharpen" yourself to be effective. This habit stresses the importance of taking time to rest and recharge so you can stay productive and avoid burnout. It means you need to be taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally, so you're always ready to perform your best.
So, as you're finishing that paper, working on your project, or studying for your final exam, remember to “sharpen your saw.” Take time to rest and renew. From personal experience, I can tell you that you won’t be as effective if you don’t take breaks. The work will be there when you get back!
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