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!