This article is part of the Self-Care Season Series, in which our writers get real about learning to balance.
It’s that time of the semester when you can almost see the end but you’re not quite there. Spring break was just a few weeks ago but you’re already ready for another. You’re working hard but you could use a little bit of motivation. If any of this sounds familiar, consider trying the following tips.
1. Make yourself a schedule or to-do list of things that MUST get done
It is important to prioritize work in order of urgency so as not to do things that are less pressing because they are easier. Sometimes it can seem simplest to put off that one thing hanging over you because thinking about it is stressful and you don’t know how to begin. However, prolonging the task will only cause you to be more worried about it and actually decrease your chances of being successful. If you write out your responsibilities in order of importance, it will be more difficult to let yourself get away with doing easier things first. If a task does not absolutely need to get done right away, do not beat yourself up for putting it off in favor of sleep.
2. Be honest with yourself about how much time you can commit to working before you need a break.
Create a system that you know you can stick to that involves a reasonable amount of work time. The goal should be to be fully productive for the amount of time you set for yourself so your breaks can involve relaxing instead of worrying about how much you should have gotten done. If you’re anything like me, a lot of the time you end up just sitting and staring at your computer screen, which is neither productive nor enjoyable and can create unnecessary guilt. A good way to hold yourself accountable is to do thirty-minute time blocks of work with a five-minute break in between each. Use your breaks to recharge, take a walk, or get a snack if you need one. Another thing to keep in mind is whether having your phone near you will be a distraction. If you are tempted to check your notifications every time something confuses you or you are not sure how to progress in your work, keep your phone out of reach or turn it off.
3. Create a study group.
A good way to make studying feel less daunting is to do it with your friends. Not only will having them around likely make you happier, they can motivate you and help with ideas or editing if you need it. If you are worried about your productivity, ask them to hold you accountable for getting a certain amount of work done with the reward of some work-free hanging out afterward.
4. Reward yourself when you reach a milestone in a project or do well on a test.
If you have gotten a lot done or are particularly proud of yourself for an achievement, don’t hesitate to reward yourself for it. It can be a small reward, like ice cream or an hour of your favorite show but it will re-energize you and make you feel validated in the fact that you’re doing well.
5. Make sure you get enough sleep and food.
Sometimes with looming deadlines, we can forget that we need to eat and sleep a certain amount of hours to be our full, productive selves. Make sure you are eating at least two meals a day and going to bed at a reasonable hour. If you put these things off, you will only hurt your health and further decrease your productivity.
6. Don’t forget to go outside, get exercise, drink water, and be social.
Along these same lines, it can be detrimental to isolate yourself and neglect other basic needs. Fresh air and exercise can make everything better, so take a walk if you’re feeling down. It is also important to catch up with friends and remember to hydrate. Always remember that no assignment is more important than physical and mental health.
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