I think we can all agree that we have reached the point in the semester where everyone is tired, bored, and drained of all motivation. Not only is the semester nearing an end, but the weather is starting to get colder and more and more of our day is shrouded in darkness, adding to this almost the end of the semester slump. At this point, students are looking forward to going home and avoiding responsibilities over Thanksgiving break, making current school work a lot more difficult. So here I am to impart some, what some (I) might call, wisdom on how to get over this final hump without falling apart.
First off, stay on top of your work. I know this is so difficult and definitely something I am struggling with at the moment. Keeping to-do lists and staying organized will help you prioritize what work absolutely needs to get done and what can’t wait for a little bit. But, please, don’t wait until the very last second for these assignments or you will end up miserable. Trying different methods, like the Pomodoro Technique or finding your own timing for doing your work might help you get it all done in a less stressful way. If you’re finding it difficult to get through your work, maybe try reaching out to classmates and forming study groups to keep you motivated and on track. And please, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professor or pop into their office hours if you’re struggling; they are there to help you and should be more than happy to.
Next, I beg you, please don’t skip your classes. I know: it may feel like they’re boring, useless, tiring, annoying and too early. But once you skip one class, it becomes a whole lot easier to fall into that habit and skip all of them. To be clear, if you feel sick or something, please don’t go to class; I’m talking to everyone who’s reasoning for skipping is because they’re too tired or they feel the class is pointless. I also have a strong feeling that you might regret skipping that lecture once the final comes around and you’re stuck scrambling and asking everyone if they have notes from that day. As much as it seems like a hassle in the moment, you’ll be saving your future self if you just go to class.
During these semester slumps, it also becomes all too easy to get lazy. So, as you try to get yourself through this and stay motivated, please remember to take care of yourself. If you keep a clean and organized working environment, it is going to be better for your productivity and mental state if your surroundings are more orderly. Maybe make a playlist of songs to listen to while you’re working and studying. Take care of yourself, shower, and keep up with personal hygiene. Just make sure that you don’t let the slump completely take over. School can get stressful so make sure you make time to do something that makes you happy. For me, I personally ensure that for every few chapters of a book I read for a class, I read a little bit of a book just for personal enjoyment. Honestly, just do things to take care of yourself.
We’ve all been there: life can get pretty stressful and difficult at times, so just remember to take care of yourself and stay on top of your work before you end up regretting it. Above all, know it’s normal and okay to hit that slump, just keep your head up and work for your goals. You got this!