The End of the Semester is a Time to Reflect

By Lena Donovan

Published April 22, 2026

The spring semester is coming to an end, and as much as I will be sad to leave for the summer, finals week could not come any faster. I have been slowly moving my body from class to class over the last few weeks. Opening Canvas has become the biggest chore, and group project group texts have flooded me with notifications and panic. My patience for almost anything has been shrinking. However, we are almost done. 

Before we all rush out for summer, let’s take a minute and breathe. As corny as that may sound, take a moment and think about all we have accomplished over the semester. Every assignment, exam, project, and presentation is a big accomplishment. Many of us are struggling in hard times for one reason or another, and it also doesn’t help that our country is being torn apart. What once seemed like the small and easy task of submitting an essay can now feel like the biggest burden. No matter where you are, know that the end is in sight. Summer may not be entirely calm, with internships or jobs, but it won’t be assignment after assignment. 

As we come to a close, it’s important to reflect on the work we have done. Sit outside with friends and laugh about the adventures you’ve gone on. Spring is the time to reflect on all the friends we’ve made in Plymouth and the people who have left their mark on our lives. The words of our professors and advisors really do stick with us. It’s a bittersweet time. We’re all excited to see what the graduating class will do, yet scared of a future without them. 

I have counted down the weeks and assignments until the end of the semester while also dreading the feeling of going home and being in the quiet. I will miss the random car horns outside my window, or the glances I give my friends when something interesting happens. Going to the Dining Hall or the HUB may be what I miss most. The quick walk in the nice weather, passing by people laughing, and listening to your favorite song in your headphones. It’s almost magical.