Where did all the time go? If you’ve been following along on my journey, it seems like just yesterday that I started as a blogger with my first post detailing the end of my sophomore year. Well, my fall semester has come to a close, and with that, I am now a senior, which feels crazy. Let me recap my last week of my fall semester and junior year for you all:
This week included a LOT of studying for me. This semester I had 4 finals, as well as a few finals projects and presentations that were also completed throughout the last week of classes. My projects included a multimedia pop culture website that contained an audio podcast and blog posts, and a crisis communication case study of the FEMA response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. My respective group mates and I had been working on these projects for weeks leading up to the end of the semester, and it was very rewarding to present them to cap off the semester.
One of the more fun parts of my week was our annual Avion staff holiday party! This tradition always takes place at our last meeting of the fall semester, where we do a staff secret Santa, play Jackbox games, eat Christmas cookies, and celebrate our successful semester that we had! As an avid mac and cheese and Target fan, I loved the Trader Joe’s Mac and Cheese (from the brand new store in Daytona!!!) and Target Gift Card that I got in secret Santa.
Another fun way to destress from finals week was in the weather lab, where the student chapter of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association (AMS/NWA) on campus provided Raising Cane’s as a study snack! I loved getting to help organize this for everyone, and it was a resounding success!
Finals week just flew by this year, and come January 1, it will be my graduation year. But for now, you’ve still got a year more of blogs coming your way! I hope your end of the semester went smoothly, and that you are settling into a relaxing winter break.
Finals season is coming up again, which means campus is about to turn into a mix of caffeine, chaos, and people crying in the library at 2 in the morning. Whether this is your first round of college finals or you’re basically a seasoned academic warrior, finals week hits hard.
Here are some tips that have actually helped me survive finals without completely falling apart.
1. Start Earlier Than You Think You Need To
I know it’s not fun, but trust me, if you start even a week earlier it saves you from the “three exams in two days” meltdown later.
What helps:
1. Break chapters into chunks
2. Make a simple study schedule
3. Review notes for 20 to 30 minutes a day instead of cramming
4. Future you will thank you.
2. Organize Everything
Finals week feels overwhelming mostly because everything feels everywhere. Before you study, take 10 minutes to gather:
1. Notes
2. PowerPoints
3. Textbook sections
4. Review sheets
5. Past quizzes
Put everything in one place, like your laptop, a folder, or a binder. When your materials feel organized, your brain feels organized. 3. Use Study Methods That Actually Work for You
Everyone studies differently, and finals is not the time to pretend you are a different person.
Some ideas:
1. Flashcards if you are a tactile learner
2. Practice problems for math and science
3. Record notes if you learn by listening. Only if the professor is okay with this!
4. Teaching the material to a friend or even your wall
Study smarter, not harder.
4. Take Breaks or Your Brain Will Revolt
Studying for eight hours straight does not make you productive. It makes you miserable.
Use:
1. Pomodoro sessions
2. Walks
3. Stretching
4. Food
5. Music breaks
6. A nap
Your brain will retain more when you give it time to breathe.
5. Eat Real Food
Snack bars, ramen, and iced coffee do not count as a meal (sorry). Your brain performs worse when you do not eat properly.
Quick, college friendly study meals:
1. Bagel and cream cheese
2. Fruit and granola
3. Wraps
4. Quesadillas
5. Yogurt bowls
6. Pasta with anything on it
Just try to eat something with sustenance at least once. For me, that is usually pasta noodles but do what makes you feel the best.
6. Do Not Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Ask:
1. Professors
2. TAs
3. Study groups
4. Classmates
5. Tutors
If you do not understand something, you are not the only one. Office hours are your best friend during finals.
7. Sleep. Seriously.
Pulling all nighters is the biggest scam in college culture. You will retain nothing and feel exhausted. This is the most important thing when studying for finals.
Try to get:
1. 6 to 8 hours of sleep
2. A consistent sleep schedule
3. A break from screens before bed
Finals are hard enough without being completely drained.
8. Set Up a Finals Survival Kit
This saved my life last semester. Pack:
1. Chargers
2. Pens and highlighters
3. Sticky notes
4. Caffeine
5. Snacks
6. Chapstick
7. A hoodie
8. A water bottle
Keep it all in one bag so you can grab it and go.
Final Thoughts
Finals week is tough, but you are tougher. Remember that your grades do not define your worth. Do your best, take care of yourself, and celebrate when it is all over.
We all have those nights where we have an assignment deadline at midnight, or maybe a big exam in the morning, and need to find the perfect spot to study. However, despite spanning two floors, the library can be packed sometimes, and way too loud for some to concentrate on their work. Here are some of the spots besides the library that I find myself studying in.
First floor of the Student Union – one of my favorite places to study at night is in the green booth on the first floor of the student union. Normally after dinner time, the student union is not very packed and noisy, making it the perfect spot to grab at table with some friends and lock in on that assignment you have. The Student Union is open 24 hours for most days of the semester, so there is no limit on how much studying you can do (though I do not recommend pulling an all nighter). There is also the perk of having the late night refueling station right there in case you get hungry and need to take a study break. Finally, these booth are super comfortable and some of them have outlets for your laptops, iPads or phones.
The dorm study rooms – while this one might seem obvious, I feel that it is overlooked by a lot of people. All the dorms across campus have study rooms on each floor, and these were places the I requested to do my homework, especially when I was in speech class and needed to go over a speech I had to give in the morning. These rooms provided a more private area than the student union or library to be able to study, which comes in handy when you’re practicing for a presentation and need a place to concentrate. The study rooms in the student village even got brand new couches and tables last semester, making it an even better study experience when you need to practice your next presentation.
The Student Leadership Suite (SLS) – Located on the second floor of the student union this is the perfect study space for people during the day and during finals week. The Student Government Association (SGA) provides free coffee and candy to students in the SLS, perfect for a quick snack or caffeine break while you are studying. The suite also has comfy couches and white board tables that can be really helpful when trying to solve math and physics problems. While the suite does close at 8 pm, it is open late during finals week, where the SGA provides free food and energy drinks nightly during as a part of their late night study sessions. It’s the perfect place to study and make sure you stay energized during your daytime studies and finals week.
These are just some of my favorite study spots on campus, and I hope they come in handy whenever you are studying for your next big exam. Let me know if there are any other spots on campus that you love to study at!
Hello everyone! The Spring 2025 semester has officially wrapped up and summer has begun. I wanted to take a quick moment to introduce myself. My name is Grace Hamilton and I am an Aerospace and Occupational Safety Major with minors in Aviation Law, Aeronautical Studies, and Human Factors. I know it sounds like a lot but its really excited to see how they all intertwine. Spring 2025 wrapped up my third year at Embry-Riddle. It’s crazy to think that I’ve been an eagle for that long but time flies when you are having fun!
Last semester I had to great opportunity to tour United’s MRO facility at Orlando International Airport with the Aviation Safety Advisory Council. For anybody who, like me, at first doesn’t know what MRO means it stands for “Maintenance, Repair, and Operations.” Let me tell you, this trip was incredible. I got to tour both hangars and even see a B-737 completely gutted out that was getting rewired. There were so many components at this facility and I learned so many new things that I can apply to my career.
During the past month I have been so busy I can’t believe that I even got to sleep. Every week there were meetings, end of semester banquets, trainings, elections, and finals. Oh I can’t forget the three presentations that I had to do. All in all everything turned out really well. It may have been stressful and chaotic but it was so rewarding and exciting.
Towards the end of this month The Avion held elections for their new executive board. I’m excited to begin my postion as the 2025-2026 Design Editor for the Avion. I have so many fun and creative ideas to boost engagement and give students a platform to display their events, news, and photographs. So keep an eye out for what is to come!
Now that the semester is over I can begin focusing on my internship. I got accepted to SeaWorld and will be working for them as a Safety Specialist intern this summer in Orlando, Florida. I’ve been to SeaWorld so many times growing up that I was ecstatic when I got an email that I was accepted for the program. I don’t quite know all that I’ll be doing yet but that’s just part of the journey. What I can tell you all is that on my first day there I get to observe the fire evacuation procedures for the Sky Tower ride. It’s going to be a fun and busy first day.
It may sound like life at Embry Riddle is go go go all the time, and sometimes it can be. But, it is important to remember to take time for yourself and enjoy the little things. For me that is baking, embroidery, crocheting, and enjoying the beach. Today I baked two sourdough loafs. Nothing like fresh baked bread and a walk on the beach to make your day.
I hope you enjoyed my little debrief of my final few weeks of the semester. This summer is going to be exciting and full of new adventures that I am so excited to share with you all. There’s going to be alot coming this summer and next fall. I can’t wait to share my journey will you all! Have a great summer!
Hey everyone! As the spring semester comes to a close I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Dominic Popolo and I am a Communications Major with a track in Broadcast Meteorology and a minor in Emergency Management. I recently completed my second year at Embry-Riddle, which is crazy because it feels like I just started! I guess time just flies like that.
A picture of me in New York City last August!
This past week was probably the busiest I’ve had all semester. Between banquets, finishing up projects, presentations, and more, it has been a marathon. As stressful as it was, it was also super fun and rewarding.
My week kicked off on Easter Sunday, when my friends and I drove up to Matanzas Inlet to have one last beach day of the semester. I definitely enjoyed soaking up some sun before I return home to New Jersey, where it won’t quite be beach weather yet. The sun was definitely a little harsh and I got a little sunburnt, but I still had a blast!
Life is better in Flagler!Ocean fun at Matanzas Inlet!It was a nice Easter Sunday at the beach!
Tuesday started off with my final presentation in my Thunderstorms class about the March 25, 2023 tornado outbreak. My partner Reagan and I had been practicing all weekend for this presentation, and we were able to successfully give all the information about the severe weather event in the allotted time. It was definitely a stress reliever to complete the presentation.
That night, I had the annual end of the year meteorology banquet, where we celebrated the accomplishments of both the Meteorology Department and the American Meteorological Society / National Weather Association (AMS/NWA) Chapter on campus. This banquet was a great time to get together as meteorologists on campus, eat some barbeque, and watch the annual “Professors Read Mean Evaluations” video. The executive board for AMS/NWA next year was also revealed at the banquet, and I will be serving as Secretary. I am so excited to help further the mission of the organization on campus!
The AMS/NWA Executive Board for the 2025-26 school year!
After the banquet, I went to my final Avion meeting of the semester as News Editor, where we celebrated the semester with a party and staff awards and superlatives. It was such a fun year in Avion this year, and I am so excited to continue my journey in the organization as Managing Editor next year!
My final meeting with my News Team in the Avion. News Team Best Team!!!
Thursday was another busy day. I started my day off by presenting my research project at the Humanities/Communication Research Symposium. My group researched how upperclassmen digitally market themselves to potential employers for our Communication Research Theory and Methods class. It was such an enlightening experience to be able to present our research that we have been working on all semester.
Presenting my research at the Humanities/Communication Research Symposium!
Later on Thursday, I attended the Student Government Association (SGA) End of the Year Banquet. Here, we highlighted the accomplishments of the SGA throughout the last year, and looked forward to what next year will bring. It was a great chance to spend time with my friends and celebrate our hard work throughout the year. We also got some great pictures at The Avion’s brand new photo booth!
The 2024-25 Avion Executive Board celebrating at SGA Banquet!The Avion’s photobooth at SGA Banquet was so much fun!
With Friday came study day, and I worked an entire day in the Weather Lab tutoring students for their Introductory and Aviation weather courses. I really enjoy my job here, being able to share my weather knowledge with students from all majors to help them succeed in their classes. Starting Friday night, I also assisted with the Late Night Study Sessions in the Student Leadership Suite, handing out donuts with the Avion as a part of the SGA’s broader initiative to feed as many students up late studying during finals. We gave out 10 dozen donuts in 17 minutes, which was crazy!
Finally, my week came to a close on Saturday. After working on our final reports and projects all day, my friends and I decided to take a drive to the park at Ponce Inlet with some Taco Bell for a break from the stress of finals week. This was a nice way to end our super busy week and spend some time with each other before we all disperse for the summer. A couple of my friends are graduating this semester, and I am so sad to see them leave. But I know there will be even more friends to be made and adventures to have when I return to campus in August.
A nice night at Ponce Inlet to cap off my crazy week.
I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my final week of Sophomore year on campus. Just know that there is much more to come over the summer and next fall! See you all soon!
When you have an internship in the Summer, it usually starts soon after your Spring semester classes end. However, the time in between these things is often forgotten even though, at least in my opinion from my own experiences, it is very important.
This year I took about 2.5 weeks “off” between these things. Many things happened during this time including packing up my dorm, moving out of my dorm, putting boxes at home, unpacking some, repacking suitcases for the Summer, remotely finishing up some research work, and then visiting some family for 10 days in Hawaii and California.
During previous Summers, my “in-between” time consisted of around 24-48 hours to pack, unpack, and move around before work. Not only was this a bit stressful, but I also found it incredibly useful to take a break between school and internship work. As a ‘rocket nerd,’ I love my school work and internship work but quickly figured out that lack of breaks (even tiny ones) can lead up to a larger feeling of burnout at a later point. Having the time to move out, pack/unpack things, and spend time with friends/family can give a certain part of your brain a relaxing time to focus on different types of things which will actually help you better function at work and look forward to the next semester even more. It is also nice to have at least a day or two when you move into your internship home to get settled in, organize, buy groceries, and more so that after work you can work on other things, call family/friends, participate in hobbies, socialize, or even just relax after a productive day.
Overall, this “in-between” time, although often overlooked, is essential to success in your life and career. It should be cherished and planned out well. This Summer is the first one in which I truly did this, and I can already see how much it has helped. I’ll leave you all with some pretty pictures from my family travels during my own “in-between” time and next time start to go into more about my internship! Happy Summer and safe travels!!
One picture taken while driving around Oahu.Another picture taken while driving around Oahu.I found a stick fishing pole among the fancy ones!
Happy almost Finals week everyone! I’m currently blogging from Daytona Beach, Florida, the Spring 2022 semester is coming to a close, and we’re so close to finishing up! My life lately has mostly consisted of homework, projects, class, studying, working out, and ROTC. With only one week of school left, two weeks until my commissioning PT test, and three weeks until graduation and commissioning… life is moving so fast! Towards the end of the semester I’ve found I am usually the busiest, most stressed, and running on the most caffeine (with less and less sleep). However, I am looking forward to graduation and catching up on rest and relaxation so soon!
Final push until the end of the semester! Post-workout at the ERAU Fitness Center!
I’ve been reminiscing on the past years a lot lately. Will I miss college life? What does the real world look like? Am I prepared for what comes next? My time at ERAU has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I’ve taken part in thus far. Looking back at myself from freshman year to now, I’m a completely different person! I’ve grown so much, become so much more confident, and have learned so much not only academically, but about myself as a person too.
College gives you the freedom to make your own schedule, study, eat, and sleep whenever you want! College also gives you the opportunity to learn the importance of balance, time management, and self care – especially during particularly stressful or busy portions of the semester (shoutout Finals Week). Nonetheless, I am so grateful for everything I’ve had the chance to experience in my time as a Resident Advisor, Orientation Team Ambassador, on SGA Student Court, as a University 101 Peer Mentor, working on campus as a Undergraduate Student Researcher at the Eagle Flight Research Center, and in Air Force ROTC.
One of the (many) early mornings before sunrise on the way to ROTC training!
Advice I was given as a freshman was – try everything! Then cut back as you figure out what you like the most and prioritize what you can make time for. Going into my final semester, I’ve cut back the most on almost all extracurricular involvement to focus primarily on academics and ROTC – aka graduation and commissioning. I’ve learned there will never be enough time in the day to accomplish everything, but it’s extremely important to learn yourself well enough to know when you need sleep over staying up to finish a homework assignment. My ERAU experience has been academically rigorous, stressful, busy, and at the same time fun, I’ve made some life long friends and memories I will never forget, and I am a stronger and better person than I was when I started. I look forward to concluding finals in the beginning of May and will be signing out with one more blog post to follow! Keep on keeping on folks, will report back soon!
Happy December everyone! I’m currently blogging from Daytona Beach, FL and we are one week away from finals! With only one week left in the semester the current atmosphere on campus is busy and stressed. My schedule for this week includes deadlines for reports, presentations, final projects, and tests from Monday-Thursday. Friday is Study Day meaning no classes before exams begin Saturday December 11. Finals end this semester on Wednesday December 15. For more information the Academic Calendar can be found here, and the Fall 2021 Final Exam schedule can be found here on page 5 of the Registration Guidelines and Important Information document.
The end of the semester can be stressful, especially with all classes seemly scheduling deadlines during the same time before finals, but truly we’re so close to break! In less than two weeks the semester and final exams will have concluded and I am so excited to relax over the holiday before the Spring 2022 semester begins. Yesterday I spent about 7 hours in the library working on a final project for my preliminary aircraft design class and this past week has had the same (and more) amount of rigorous work on projects for different classes as well.
The best advice I have for college students experiencing “the grind” portion of the end of the semester is to remember that this short couple weeks is only temporary and you will get a break soon. Theres no way getting around having classes schedule exams and other due dates so close together, and it seems that every semester the last week brings a similar atmosphere and work load. To get through it we must go through it. Personally, I don’t necessarily agree with the concept of all nighters to finish work, but I do have a lot of late nights and early mornings. As someone who extensively plans ahead, during the last week of a semester there never seems to be enough time in a day.
Beautiful Florida sunrise on campus!
My best advice for getting through finals is to take care of yourself as much as possible. Drinking water and getting enough sleep are both extremely important! These tips for success sound simple, but when classes are extremely rigorous and demanding, sometimes the simplest acts of self care really make all the difference!
One of my favorite Florida sunsets on campus the other evening!
Other keys to success are snacks, coffee or your caffeine of choice, and decompressing after long days! During especially stressful times I make sure to prioritize a balance of working out and resting. Most of my recent days have been filled with hours of continuous work and studying for my classes, which unfortunately means a lot of sitting (something that I personally find very difficult and boring to do for hours). Thus, its important to take breaks to walk around, stretch, and schedule time to workout. I find that after a productive school work day, usually my mind is exhausted but my body hasn’t really moved all day. To alleviate this I will either go for a run, go to the gym, or do a yoga or workout video on YouTube. I feel better when I get to move my body, which in turn helps me focus more and think more clearly when working on assignments or studying. I also use working out as motivation to stay more focused while I work! Self care is extremely important, especially when the semester is busy. Keep on keeping on folks, will report back soon!
Happy almost December everyone! I’m currently blogging from Daytona Beach, back from Myrtle Beach where I spent my Thanksgiving break with my family and I wish break was longer. Traffic was pretty bad coming back south and my drive ended up taking about an extra three hours! Regardless, my break was so much fun and I was sad to head back to FL alone as it was such a great experience spending time with family.
Post Thanksgiving 5K with my dad!
Post Thanksgiving 5K with my uncle! We ran together and ended up winning “medals” for fast times!
The 5K was probably one of my favorite moments over the break, other than watching Jimmy Fallon’s Christmas special on NBC – 5 More Sleeps Til Christmas.
My To-Do list before the week begins includes various errands like filling up my water bottle, taking in my bags from my Thanksgiving Break trip from the car and unpacking, laundry, working out, doing yoga, putting up my residence hall closing/end of the semester Resident Advisor (RA) bulletin board in my hall, filling out the end of course evaluations for all my classes on Canvas, and working on my Aircraft Preliminary Design group project and report.
There are about two weeks left to the semester before final exams. The last day of classes for the Fall 2021 semester is Thursday Dec 9, followed by Study Day on Friday Dec 10! Final exams this year are December 11-15 and Graduation is Dec 16! For additional semester closing information about important dates, please check out your RA’s bulletin board in your Residence Hall, as well as ERAU-DB’s academic calendar which can be found here.
In preparation for the end of the semester and finals it’s extremely important to emphasize your health. Getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, eating right, and taking care of yourself are extremely important! I too am guilty of falling into the end of semester syndrome where I drink more coffee than usual and sometimes don’t make time to workout or eat particularly nourishing food because I am too busy with homework or studying. Truly though, when you are busy it is even more important to make sure you are being kind to your body and your mind and putting energy into a healthy work/life balance.
Some tips to prep for the busy days to come – make sure you have quick and healthy snacks on hand (cut up fruit or pre-portion bags of pretzels or crackers for grab-and-go style), set timers for studying to keep yourself on as much of a set schedule as possible, set an alarm for a cut-off time each night where you do an activity to decompress such as making a cup of tea, going for a walk, listening to music or a podcast, working out, or reading a book. Additionally, you can try setting intentions for each day either before you go to bed at night or by incorporating them into your morning routine (perhaps while you drink a cup of coffee or tea). Setting intentions helps keep me focused throughout the day and can be referred back to by writing them in the Notes app of your phone or by putting them on sticky notes around your desk/study space. Remembering your daily intentions can help focus your thoughts on your end goals and re-center your mindset by helping to motivate you if you become busy or stressed! Keep on keeping on folks, will report back soon.
Happy April everyone! I’m currently blogging from Daytona Beach, Florida and I have been incredibly busy lately. We have about a month left of school until finals and I feel like there is SO much to do before then.
Most of my classes have final exams and final projects, so the entire month of April is crazy slammed for me. In other news I am scheduled to get my first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in a few days and will be receiving the second dose of the vaccine during finals (so I am really hoping I don’t have any negative side effects because finals will happen whether I feel dizzy or not). I am hoping my professors will have some leniency given that the current day and age is full of a lot of unusual circumstances and getting vaccinated is a priority of the university (and my health).
My in-person study abroad program plans in Meknes, Morocco have changed to completely online due to the global pandemic. This means my summer plans for where I will be completing my online classes are up in the air. Typically in the past while I’m done online courses I’ve house-hopped with my family, but at the moment given the nature of travel restrictions, other than committing to bringing my laptop with me to log into Zoom, it’s difficult for me to solidify plans of where I will actually be.
A common theme that I’ve found reoccurring in my life recently is uncertainty, specifically having to do with plans for the future. My advice to you from one person who is going through it to another, is to take everything one day at a time.
I love to-do lists and setting milestones for timelines of where I want to be in completing assignments leading up to their due dates. I also recently deep cleaned by room! Washing my sheets and bedding, cleaning my floors, organizing my living space, and overall refreshing where I study, sleep, and workout has a big impact on my mental health, often an impact I don’t realize until I’ve reorganized and cleaned and feel so much better in the space around me.
Aircraft I designed for my AE 413 Aircraft Stability and Control class using Matlab
I’ve talked about time management and balance before, and as being busy seems to be a lifestyle for me, I’ve been setting aside time every day to stretch and do yoga or fit in a quick workout as a break between assignments. Sometimes taking a break and looking away from a problem or a page you’ve been working on for a while is just the thing your mind needs to process what you’re working on.
Spring picture of my niece pup Daisy!
In the past I’ve found myself staying up thinking about how to complete engineering problems, so I like to “shut off” my working brain and switch into relaxation mode at the end of every day. I do this by setting a bedtime routine as best I can by having my shower “mark” the end of my homework for the day, and setting my oil diffusers with calming oil blends. I’ve found while being in the same environment of my room, the small changes such as setting up my bed for sleep make a big difference in my mindset and switching from work mode to off mode.
Keep on keeping on folks, stay safe, will report back soon!
