As the end of the semester approaches, I find my motivation for schoolwork draining more each day. School feels like a repetitive cycle. Between class, homework, assignments, and sleep, there is hardly an in-between. Burnout has begun.
As a first-year, I barely had time to establish a working system for school before my motives started going down the drain. However, I have done my best to recover from this by compiling a few tips and tactics that have boosted my motivation and work ethic.
Don’t end the day with schoolwork!
Instead of waking up to a pile of essays and falling asleep to a pile of readings, I try to avoid any schoolwork a few hours before going to bed. I use this time to relax, make a snack, and escape reality with a few episodes of my favourite sitcom!
Do schedule breaks and burnout days!
Yes, taking breaks is an obvious tip, but I find actually scheduling them in a specific time frame makes a huge difference, instead of just taking them whenever I feel like it. I always work extra hard to push through as many readings or notes as possible right before my scheduled break, keeping in mind that I will be able to relax in a few minutes.
Another method that works on lighter weeks would be to schedule full days to release all the burnout needed. For example, I don’t have class on Wednesday, so I am able to take this day to destress and leave school work aside. As a result, I’ll work extra hard on Monday and Tuesday knowing that Wednesday is coming soon.
Don’t prioritize only based on deadlines!
Schoolwork doesn’t need to be prioritized only by its approaching deadline. Oftentimes, I find myself working hard on the essay due next week, while ignoring anything due after that. Once it’s finished, I am no longer motivated to complete the other items on my checklist, feeling drained from writing an entire report in one sitting. I find that when prioritizing tasks, I burn out less by completing little sections and moving onto other classwork, even if the deadline is not approaching anytime soon. Even though I am technically leaving the most important task for later, it makes me feel productive that some work is finished. And when the next assignment’s deadline approaches, I’ll also thank myself when I realize half the assignment was finished a week ago.
Do set a time-lapse!
This one may sound random, but a few weeks ago, I saw a TikTok where someone shared a tip to end procrastination: set a time-lapse while working. I found this irrelevant, but after trying it a few times out of curiosity, I can attest that it works– at least for myself. There’s just something so satisfying about watching myself finish an entire assignment in one sitting. I guess it holds me accountable, but to be honest, I’m not exactly sure why it works as well as it does.
Do find ways to make assignments more enjoyable!
The biggest reason for burnout is having assignments that I just don’t enjoy. I normally don’t have a problem with managing many assignments at once, but rather have a problem getting started with the ones that just don’t correlate with my interests. To combat this, I often brainstorm ways to add an element of interest in the assignment. This can be done by simply choosing a topic of interest for an essay or adding elements of graphic design, creative writing, or photography into a report. When I cater the assignment toward an area of passion I find myself more motivated, usually resulting in a better grade!
Do participate in extracurriculars!
With the entire semester being online, extracurriculars can often feel as if I’m sitting in another Zoom class. Whether it be preparing for a case competition, writing for a publication, or planning for an event, deadlines approach like any other assignment for class. I try to select the few clubs that actually correlate with my passions, instead of filling in any random Google form I come across on my Instagram feed. The ‘assignments’ I get from clubs feel therapeutic, and have allowed me to discover my love for writing again, after burning-out from that boring ten-page English essay.
Don’t be too hard on yourself!
Overall, it is important to realize that burnout is normal and completely okay. The super-productive “Day in the Life” videos of students on TikTok are only a snapshot of someone’s best day. While a day, week, or month may have been wasted on rewatching How I Met Your Mother for the third time, there is always tomorrow to get started. School is hard, and online school is even harder, so be proud of yourself for pushing through!