For college students, the spring can be one of the most difficult seasons of the school year. Right now, students on the quarter system are beginning to prepare for midterms and those on the semester system are getting ready for final exams. The approach of summer break may be a motivating factor for some to finish their classes, but I’ve found that after taking classes since fall, it can be hard to have the endurance to continue until mid-June.Â
While I am a first-year student who’s still learning how to combat the lack of motivation and mental stamina towards the end of the school year, these are some things that have helped me throughout my freshman year that I will definitely be utilizing during exam season.Â
Stay Away From Your Cell PhoneÂ
One of the biggest and most consistent thefts of the studying time during this school year has been my cell phone. During February, I checked my screentime and realized how much time throughout the week I spend on my phone, and knew I needed to limit myself. To help me stay away from my screen, I use screentime apps intended to block me from opening social media or games while I’m studying. And, if blocking apps isn’t enough of a limitation, you can give your screentime password to a close friend or family member that will keep it a secret from you and prevent you from using your phone.Â
Meeting With Classmates and Friends
Studying with others, especially those who are in my classes and studying for the same subject, helps to hold me accountable. If a friend and I decide to meet up to study, it would feel pointless to trek down to the library from our dorms only to get nothing done. Additionally, studying with fellow classmates can be a good opportunity to ask questions about concepts you haven’t been able to understand and to help each other be as prepared for exams as possible.Â
Studying On The MoveÂ
As someone with ADHD, sitting in one place for an extended period of time can feel monotonous and create a feeling of restlessness that draws my focus away from studying. I like to study for roughly an hour at one location and if I start to lose focus on my work, I walk somewhere else on campus for a change of scenery and try to regain it.Â
Share Your Work
As a journalism major, a majority of my assignments involve writing. After working on an essay or an article for days or weeks at a time, it can feel as though I can’t find any new ways to make it better, and leaves me feeling like I’m trying to solve a puzzle with missing a piece that I just can’t seem to find. To help myself work through writer’s block, I share my articles and essays with my roommates to hear their perspectives. Someone who has never read your work before, which can be your roommates, friends or family, may be able to point out flaws that you had missed. It is also extremely beneficial if the person reading your work has never learned about the topic you’ve written about, because if they are left with additional questions, you can include the answers in your writing and make your topic more understandable.