It’s about that time again. It happens to me every semester, without fail — the mid-semester slump. I am always struggling to find motivation around this time of year. Spring is on the way, the weather is slowly getting nicer and essays and exams are starting to pile up. We’re all stressed, tired and relying too heavily on coffee.
But there is good news! The mid-semester slump is survivable. With some tips and tricks, it’s totally possible to power through without losing the motivation you had when classes began.
I know we all have a planner buried somewhere. Some people use these religiously. I, on the other hand, tend to write assignments down for about a week, then discard the planner promptly with the notion that I’ll simply be able to remember everything. This is never the case. It’s a bad habit that I’m currently attempting to break. I can’t be alone in this, right?
So, fellow students, do yourselves a favor: dig out the planner and make yourself actually use it. There’s no worse feeling than realizing you forgot to do an assignment, especially if it was worth a large percentage of your grade. By writing everything down, you know you have a way to check your memory. Also, there’s the added satisfaction that comes with being able to cross off what you’ve finished, giving yourself some concrete vision of productivity.
And while you’re focusing on scheduling, make sure to spread out your work. Procrastination may be tempting, but it’s falsely comforting. In all likelihood, you’ll spend your newfound free time feeling stressed about your impending assignment.
Instead, force yourself to complete your work in segments. It’ll save you a caffeine-fueled all-night cram session, which is less likely to earn you a good grade. With more time to work on your project or essay, you’ll also have more chances to give yourself breaks. You’re much more likely to be in a good mood if you don’t force yourself to write a 10-page essay in one sitting.
Be sure to schedule in time to reward yourself for working hard. Go out with friends or take a night off from studying. As the weather warms up, you also have the opportunity to get outside and go for a run or a bike ride. (Exercise is a great way to relieve school-related stress, and you’re still being productive!) Give yourself some time to unplug and unwind.
Also, remember that sleep is your friend. Whether our late nights are because of friends or school, they’re depriving us of much-needed rest. If you find that study sessions are really ruining your sleep schedule, at least let yourself take a nap during the day. Even if you memorize all of the material, exhaustion can really ruin your chances of testing well.
Make a point to recognize where you’re struggling. If you’re having difficulties in a class now, get some help. Form a study group with other people in the class, go to your professor’s office hours and spend some time reviewing your notes. Don’t just assume that you’ll figure it out later. If it’s a problem now, it’s still going to be a problem later. If you wait until the week of final examinations to ask questions, chances are you’re going to remember even less than you do now. Make a point to get any concerns resolved early. Your future self will thank you for it.
Lastly, always try to remember what you’re working toward. Classes may be tough and your schedule may be full, but keep your eye on the end goal: your degree, a future job, anything that will remind you why you’re taking on all of this work in the first place. If you stay motivated, your classes will seem much less difficult. Remind yourself to have a positive outlook and keep your eye on the future.
