Spring Break has come and gone, which means the end of the school year is quickly approaching… and summer is just around the corner. If you’re a student or have a student in your life, you know how difficult it is to keep the faith and stay motivated as these last few weeks draw to a close.
Motivation is a tricky thing, and with summer almost here, it’s easy to give up on school entirely. However, fear not! We have the best motivational tips and tricks to keep you motivated for the end of the school year. Don’t give up yet—stay encouraged with these easy ideas.
Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize.
The number one rule for staying motivated and on top of the assignments coming your way is to prioritize. There’s a famous anonymous quote which says, “Mile by mile, life is a trial; yard by yard, it’s hard; but inch by inch, it’s a cinch.” Looking ahead towards the end of the semester, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by upcoming tasks and challenges. This feeling of helplessness at what’s to come causes us to lose motivation.
But, when you break down large assignments into smaller, bite-size chunks, things don’t seem as overwhelming. By prioritizing small items into immediate tasks, you can take things step-by step, and stay motivated the whole way through.
Try a change of scenery.
If you’re feeling unmotivated towards the end of this year, switch things up every now and then with a change of scenery. Sometimes when we get stuck in a rut, we feel the same old sense of motivation, which dwindles as time goes on. These next few weeks, spice things up a bit with a change of scenery, habit or routine.
If you usually study in the library, try a local coffee shop for a new perspective. If you mostly study in the evening, consider waking up early for a fresh look at the day. Or, if you often study with friends, see how working alone can refocus your habits. Changing your environment can reawaken your sense of urgency, and motivate you to work hard these next few weeks.
Join a study group.
Sometimes when we work alone too often, we get inside our head and diminish our own self-motivation. Luckily, that’s where support systems come in. If you’re a student worrying about the end of the semester, find a group of trusted friends or peers who are in the same boat, and work together to stay motivated.
Study groups are great for pep talks, vent sessions and of course, studying opportunities. When you’re surrounded by people who know the stress you’re going through, you can work together to prop each other up. Try joining a study group as this semester winds down, and see how your motivation takes a new upswing.
Focus on rewards.
Finally, stay motivated by setting up a rewards system for the end of the school year. For example, challenge yourself to get five pages of that final essay done this week. If you get all five pages done, reward yourself with a night out at your favorite local restaurant or cafe.
Even on a smaller scale, rewards can have great benefits. Read a page of text, eat a jelly bean, read five pages of text, spend one minute on social media, read ten pages of text, get five minutes of television time. Setting up a reward system gives you something to look forward to, propelling you forward and helping you to stay motivated and encouraged.
Summer is quickly approaching, but first we have to get through these last few weeks of school. While motivation can be hard, it’s easier when you take these small steps towards it. Try out some of these ideas and see just how motivated you feel as we finish out this semester.
