Nov. 28, 2023

Welcome to week 14! 

Way to go! You are doing so amazing. 

We are down to just next week and a handful of days before finals! The finish line is in sight! Hopefully, you recharged over the long weekend. It is important to keep your pace to capitalize on your efforts up to this point and finish strong. You can do it! A strong finish will make the winter break even more rewarding.

Sometimes I use the analogy of long-distance running or endurance sports for your journey. The marathon is a 26-mile race. You will sometimes hear new runners say they were on pace to do amazingly well, but then at mile 20, something happened and they fell off their planned pace. Experienced runners, on the other hand, will say the marathon comes down to the last six miles. Their training focuses on how to maintain a strong pace for the push to the finish. It is the same with the 16-week academic semester, only the semester is longer and requires you to have even more consistent discipline and more endurance. You are a pro. Everything you’ve done so far has been an investment in this final stretch. Stay the course! Keep your pace strong!

Stick to your successful habits. Put the time in; there is no shortcut. Don’t lose focus. Higher education semesters aren’t structured into 16-week units because they represent natural lengths of time for learning or an easy length for us to stay engaged and organized. They are built this way because they require sustained focus and persistence of effort. The higher education calendar is built this way to challenge you. Do you feel challenged?

Earning your degree demonstrates your ability to rise repeatedly to this challenge. On the way to finishing your degree, you will overcome six, eight, or even more semesters in your tour of higher education. Each time, you’ll get stronger and more practiced. You are building stamina and pacing skills. You’re doing it!

Three (No, four!) things:

1. Have you registered yet?! If not, connect with your advisor and get registered for Spring 2024. It will feel great to have this behind you and you’ll carry less stress through the break. 

2. Finals. They begin Monday, Dec. 11. Don’t stress. Instead, put together a plan.

3. Find time to take care of yourself. Breathe. Enjoy Alaska. Dec. 4 and 5 are forecast to have amazing aurora. Make a plan to check it out with your friends. Take a mental break from your studies. If you are close to the Troth Yeddha’ campus here in Fairbanks, go for a ski or an evening walk on the illuminated trails (walking trails are the green lines on this map). They start near the Akasofu building and the snow-covered trees are amazingly beautiful by the ski-trail lights.

4. Go downhill skiing or snowboarding. This year we have partnered with Moose Mountain and Ski Land to offer discounted day passes for both mountains. If you plan to ski this winter, check out this link for details on how to get a lift ticket for only $10. There are a limited number of tickets available each day, so plan ahead. This deal is not available at the mountain. With the great weather, it is a great time to take advantage of this awesome opportunity!

In closing, watch your pace. Make sure to balance your effort with future races in mind. Do your best in this race, but don’t exhaust yourself. So many people are cheering you on; your family, our faculty and staff, fellow students; smile and wave as you cruise to the finish. Cheer on others around you. Make the most of week 14 and I’ll see you next week for week 15 and the last week of classes!

As ever, if you have suggestions to send my way, please do so. I’m at: obguthrie@alaska.edu.

— Owen Guthrie, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management