As the semester transitions from the midterms into its final third, the tone on the Northern Essex Community College (NECC) campuses shifts. The chaos of the midterms has passed, but the initial burst of energy is long gone. Students are now battling fatigue, staring down finals, and wrestling with the temptation to simply coast along.

This critical period is not just about survival; it’s about strategic action.

The tarot deck, far from being just a tool for prophecy, is best used as a road map for energy management and willpower. The following three cards offer some symbolic advice on how to switch from simply enduring the semester to driving toward a successful completion.

A Note on Methodology

The modern relevancy of tarot lies in the symbolism of each card, which together represents a framework for navigating life’s challenges. As a seasoned tarot reader, I selected these cards for their direct relevance to the common struggles faced by students at NECC during the final third of the semester: harnessing willpower, managing energy sustainably, and courageously defending personal boundaries.

Tarot breakdown: The final strategic push

1. The Chariot (VII) — The Card of Victory, Willpower, and Focused Drive

The Lesson for NECC: This Major Arcana card is the ultimate call to action. After dealing with obstacles, The Chariot provides the surge of energy needed for the final sprint. It is a symbol of victory through relentless, disciplined effort. The Chariot tells the NECC student to stop allowing distractions and harness their focus—like a driver gripping the reins—to propel themselves toward the finish line.

The NECC Academic Coaching program is designed to deliver this very focus. Coaching will help students “become a more effective learner, not simply to survive the crisis of the day”. The program explicitly provides support focused on “goal setting” and “motivation and encouragement” to ensure students have the disciplined direction The Chariot symbolizes. The card reminds you that you must actively steer your course past procrastination and fatigue. Victory isn’t about luck; it’s about determined, focused will.

2. Temperance (XIV) — The Card of Balance, Moderation, and Sustainable Flow

The Lesson for NECC: The Temperance card, often showing an angel carefully mixing two liquids, is a powerful reminder that the goal is not to burn out, but to finish strong. While The Chariot demands action, Temperance demands moderation. For the exhausted student, this is a lesson in sustainable flow: you must find a healthy mix of intense work and crucial rest. Pushing too hard now will lead to burnout just before any final exams.

To help students achieve this flow, the SOAR Program regularly plans workshops on “personal health and wellness activities” and “self-care”. This proactive, moderated approach reflects Temperance’s lesson that sustainable success requires strategically mixing hard work with rest, thereby managing energy all the way to the end.

3. Seven of Wands — The Card of Courage, Defiance, and Defending Your Position

The Lesson for NECC: The Seven of Wands often depicts a figure fighting off multiple attackers from high ground. For the NECC student, this represents the pressure of the final weeks: friends asking for help, family demands, and the sheer volume of deadlines closing in. This card encourages you to stand your ground.

Academic support services are critical in establishing this boundary. NECC’s Academic Advising and Coaching teams help students work closely with an advisor on essential skills like “time management,” “organizational skills,” and “setting priorities”. This directly aligns with the Seven of Wands’ message: courageously establishing and defending your priorities is necessary to protect your final academic position and secure your success.

Conclusion: Time to Drive

These cards all point to the same truth: the end of the semester is not a gentle wind-down, but a period requiring intense, focused willpower and strategic energy management.

The cards provide the strategy, but all the NECC resources give you the tools and resources available to finish your journey. Whether you need help harnessing The Chariot’s energy, learning moderation with Temperance or establishing The Seven of Wands’ boundaries, remember that help are available to anyone willing to take the steps necessary to obtain it.

• Counseling and Psychological Services: Available to all students, these services offer confidential, short-term counseling for stress management, anxiety, and personal issues. To make an appointment, call 978-556-3730 or email counseling@necc.mass.edu. 

• Academic Advising/SOAR Program: 

This program provides personalized coaching to manage academic load, major exploration, goal setting, and plans for transferring or career entry. Contact them at academiccoaching@necc.mass.edu to schedule a meeting. 

• Success Workshops: Regular workshops and coaching sessions dedicated to time management, overcoming procrastination, and building crucial life skills. Check the NECC Student Success Center homepage for the latest schedule