We’re in the home stretch, people! With finals week just around the corner, it can be common to feel a distinct lack of motivation when it comes to getting the rest of your work done. As a second semester senior, I definitely am feeling that! You might also be struggling because it could be difficult to feel focused and productive at your house if you’re more used to frequenting the library at this point in the semester. Hopefully these tips will help you feel that motivation and get that work done by optimizing your study habits!
- Create a Designated Study Space
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Most of the student body is still adjusting to working out of their own homes or their families’ homes. Whether that’s the case for you or not, it is important to designate yourself a space in your home that will be just for work and studying. For example, designating a desk to be your study space and only using that space for studying will allow your brain to make the association between sitting at that desk and getting work done. Pick your space wisely; we recommend not picking your bed for obvious reasons, if possible.
- Figure Out Your Habits – and Make a Schedule
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Are you more of a morning person or night person? Do you get work done in short bursts or do you work for hours on end? These are the things that you should figure out about yourself in order to effectively tackle finals. Hold yourself accountible by making a schedule of the different tasks you need to get done. Optimize this schedule based on your habits. For example, if you’re a morning person who works in short bursts, schedule yourself to start writing that paper earlier in the morning with some breaks throughout. Having a schedule will help you keep track of what needs to get done and be a source of accountibility for when you need to get it done.
- Procrastinate Procrastinating
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Do you know what’s more stressful than a 15 page paper? Realizing you only have two days left to write said paper because you were busy binge watching Schitt’s Creek. Now, this tip is definitely easier said than done, but when you have the capacity to do things – use that discipline! Stick to your schedule, set a timer, block some websites, put your phone out of reach. Putting off work because the idea of doing it makes you anxious will only make you more anxious in the long run. If you tell yourself you’re going to do 1.5 hours of work – stick to it! Your future self will be thankful.
Good luck with finals and the rest of the semester, Sharks! Hope you are all safe and well!