Staying Motivated in the last couple weeks of the semester

I don’t know about you, but at this point in the semester I’m running on empty. Actually, I’m beyond empty. I’m so low on motivation that just getting out of bed to go to grab breakfast  is becoming a struggle. It seems like everyone I talk to is in the same emotional place. I’ve witnessed more meltdowns in the last week than I have in the rest of Spring Semester and Fall Semester combined.  It’s just that point in the year where the warm weather is teasing everyone, the pressure of upcoming finals is overwhelming, and tensions are overall running high.

On top of that, professors are throwing everything they’ve got at us. A month ago we were coasting along doing small assignments here and there, but nothing that would make or break a grade. Now, suddenly, every project, paper, and test assigned is worth at least 20% of the final grade, and we’re left drowning in a pile of homework wondering how this could have happened.

It’s easy amidst all the chaos to throw motivation and drive to the wind, fall into an “I don’t care” attitude for the rest of the year, and allow your brain to check into summer mode a few weeks early. Trust me, you’re not the only one. I’m struggling with the temptation every day.

But y’all... We’re almost there. We have less than three weeks until Spring Semester 2017 will be nothing but a memory, and we’ll be soaking up the glory that is summer vacation. We’re so close! Why let yourself abandon hope? Here are some tips on how to keep hold of what little motivation you have left and end your 2015 academic year as strong as you started!

1. Wake up

We constantly complain about having to pull all-nighters, but, in reality, we all know that the only reason we have to stay up late is because we refuse to get up any more than a half hour before our first class of the day. Imagine how much less stressed you’ll be if you don’t have the pressure of knowing you’ll be up till 3 a.m. writing a paper hanging over your head. Especially as finals approach, give yourself that extra time! Pour a cup of coffee or 3 and get started before noon! 

2. Schedule breaks in your study sessions

When it’s nice out, the library or a dorm room can start to feel like a jail cell. Rather than fighting the urge to be in the sunshine, intentionally give yourself time to get outside and walk the Tundra. It will give your brain a chance to breathe, and you’ll be so much more productive in the long run if you give yourself the chance to actually do what you want and get out of your stuffy homework dungeon.

3. Turn off your phone

You’ve heard this 1001 times, but seriously, do it. Turn it off. Give it to your roommate and tell them to hide it if you have to. Do whatever you have to do to hide the temptation of Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. You can live without social media for long enough to complete your to-do list for the day.

4. Reward yourself for your progress

Giving yourself an incentive to get work done quickly will make you so much more productive. For every couple hours of studying, give yourself a quick break. Watch an episode of your favorite show,  go to the gym, or eat a snack. If you finish a chapter of Economics or a page of your English paper, you deserve that incentive!

5. Spend time with your friends

School is going to start to feel like it’s taking over your life as the days in the semester continue to dwindle, but don’t forget to save some time for your friends! Too soon, everyone is going to head home for the summer, and you’re going to miss having all of your friends in one central location. Carve some time out of your schedule and enjoy your last few days with your buds.

6. Keep reminding yourself that eventually all of this will be over

There is absolutely nothing you can do to speed up or slow down time. Finals are going to happen, and then they’ll be done. These last two weeks are going to be difficult, but, no matter how impossible that last paper seems or how lost you feel while studying for your Stats exam, don’t forget that you are going to make it to the other side. So just take Dory's advice and... JUST KEEP SWIMMING!