As fall approaches and syllabus week is over, it is officially time to come to terms with the fact school and homework are ready to stay. Before we know it, we will be taking exams, writing papers and spending time in the library until the wee hours of the night. At this point in time, motivation is extremely hard to come by and some of us find ourselves in a slump. How can you get out of this slump exactly? It can be different for everyone, however, here are some common strategies.
1. Remember how far you’ve come and don’t compare yourself to others.Comparing what you have and your accomplishments to others can really kill your motivation. Remember, there will always be someone ahead of you, whether you like it or not. Instead of seeing this as an excuse to quit, see it as motivation to go beyond that other person’s level. It is important to focus on yourself, your successes and what you can do to improve. Also make sure to do some self reflectoin. It’s the best way to really see where you went wrong and realize how to avoid these mistakes in the future.
2. Work out.
I know…I know…working out is something that most people hate and claim they have no time to do. Ladies, please stop lying to yourself. Even the busiest people can take twenty minutes out of their day to work out. Working out can simply be walking around the block, going on a jog or even laying on your bedroom floor and doing crunches. Working out is so crucial because it is an easy way to clear your head and break your negative emotional pattern. Plus, who doesn’t love an extra boost of energy.
Lucky for us at Ambrose, we are surrounded by ways to sneak in exercise. The campus is small, but we have so many beautiful places to go for walks that are so close to campus like Vanderveer. There is also Lee Lohman, we all know we can use the gym for free so that excuse is out the window. Also, you can drive to multiple YMCA’s, Planet Fitness, Yoga Studios and countless gyms within minutes if you don’t want to use the facility Ambrose provides us with.
3. Surround yourself with positive people, but also give yourself a break.
Positive peers = positive life. If you find yourself around people who are constantly optimistic you will find yourself thinking the same way; positive vibes rub off onto others. Yes, I know, these type of people can become extremely annoying after a while, but I’m not saying to be around them 24/7. Surrounding yourself with positive people also goes hand-in-hand with giving yourself alone/quiet time. While being around other people can be great and lift your attitude, sometimes it is also a relief when you can be on your own and get things done in silence.
St. Ambrose has different opportunities to get to know positive people. If the clubs aren’t enough, check out some off campus activities that can motivate you to be a better you. Volunteer somewhere like King’s Harvest or find a part time job where you can work with kids or make a difference. Helping others in the area can help you to feel better.
4. Set goals for yourself.
These goals can be small or huge, but how are you going to know what you need to do if you don’t know why you’re doing it? You can make one or a million, just make sure that they are reasonable and attainable. I personally have a couple life goals that are consistent, but I do make small goals throughout the semester. I give myself deadlines and do my best to meet them. If you were to walk into my room at this very minute you would find papers taped on my walls that have goals listed on them. Even if I have already achieved them they’re still there, because it is important to remember what you have accomplished (see number 1).