For college students, the time between spring break and summer vacation can be tough. The weather is (hopefully) getting nicer, and classes are only getting harder, especially with finals just around the corner. Here are some strategies to stay motivated and push through to make it to the end of the semester.
1. Get outside while you can
As Kenyon students know all too well, the weather in Ohio is unpredictable. So, when the sun is shining and the grass is no longer a sneakily disguised puddle of mud, try to make the most of it. Study outside! You’ll be sure to see plenty of other friends kicking back on the lawn outside of Peirce and lounging in the Adirondack chairs along Middle Path. You may be a little distracted, but you’ll be happier than studying all alone in the library for another endless hour.
2. Exercise
Like I’ve just mentioned, the weather is getting warmer and warmer, and that means there’s no excuse not to make the trek down to the KAC or go for a run on the Gap Trail. Feel like you have too much work to exercise? Physical activity will actually help you concentrate better, so you don’t need to feel guilty taking just half an hour out of your busy schedule to stay healthy.
3. Make to-do lists with attainable goals
Personally, I live by to-do lists. I make one for all the assignments I hope to complete over the weekend and another for things I need to do during the week. It’s even more helpful when each bullet point is something that you can complete in only one or two sittings, so you can have the satisfaction of crossing things off and seeing your progress. To do this, break down a bigger assignment into smaller tasks. For example, if you have to write a paper, your bullet points may include the following: choose a topic, draft a thesis, research, write a rough draft, and revise. By setting out a clear list of each task you have to complete, even if the tasks seem trivial, you won’t forget anything, and you’ll know how well you need to manage your time because you’ll see exactly all the work you need to get done.
4. Watch TV or listen to music
Sometimes sitting down to do homework when you know you have hours of work ahead of you can be daunting. And sometimes you just have that one easy, but uninteresting assignment you have to force yourself to finish. These are the times you just have to make the most of a dull situation and stick in some ear buds. For some people, TV and music may feel a little distracting at first, but it’s better to make slow progress than none at all.
5. Nap
As with exercise, if you’re not mentally and physically feeling up to the work you have to finish, it’s better just to give into your body’s needs and get some necessary rest. Plus, napping during the day could lead to some extra time at night to finish up lingering work which might be easier to complete when other people are asleep and things quiet down.
6. Treat yourself
You work hard, so you deserve to do something nice for yourself. Whether it’s splurging on a pint of your favorite ice cream at the market, spending an hour with a book you’ve been dying to read, or simply spending some one-on-one time with a friend, make time to for the fun things. The things that make you happy are what’ll keep you going.
7. Strategically procrastinate
If all else fails and you find yourself doomed to procrastinate, try to do so with purpose. Need to do your laundry? Call your parents? Have one assignment you’d rather be doing even if it’s not due until four days from now? If you’re up to your eyeballs in responsibilities, it’s better to be doing something than doing nothing.
Just remember, schoolwork is important, but it isn’t the only important part of your life. If you’re not healthy, physically and emotionally, more than just your schoolwork will suffer. Challenge yourself, but don’t push yourself over the edge. College is certainly an experience, so make it a well-rounded one!
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