Who doesn’t love something fun to look forward to? Whatever task you may be in the process of completing, it’s always fun to have a reward to celebrate your accomplishments. This semester I tried implementing this into my life and it made even the smallest tasks fun. It’s very easy. Every week, if I had a huge assignment, a big exam, or a regular amount of coursework, I would try to schedule something fun as a reward after completing whatever had to get done. This “reward” could be something small like getting together with friends to go on a walk, get dinner, watch a movie, or go shopping with friends.
The “rewards” didn’t necessarily always involve spending money. For example, sitting outside with my friends on nice afternoons, and giving myself time to read for fun were some of my favorite memories from this year. I also found it productive to work these rewards into the errands I already had to run like getting a haircut or going to the bookstore to get more pens (and maybe a Starbucks drink, too).
Sometimes, if I couldn’t think of anything, I would simply write “do something fun” in my planner. This way, even if I had no plans, my “fun activity” at the end of the week would motivate me to get through my work.
I found this not only made me get my work done but also helped me balance my social life with my academics. Yes, I will always prioritize coursework, but I think lots of college students fall into a rut (specifically towards the end of the year) when it feels like all they do is crank out assignments. And sure, some weeks are crammed with assignments, some allow for more free time, and in some, I feel like I live at the library. But, I think using this practice helped me feel a bit less like a homework robot and more like a human. It helped me balance fun and work and consequently, increase my productivity.
Give it a try! It helped me make the most out of my semester. I made more memories, completed more tasks, and tried new things. Lastly, as the semester comes to a close, take a look back at your accomplishments and be proud of how far you’ve come! There are only a couple of weeks until summer, so make sure and celebrate with something fun after finishing this academic year!
You’re gonna crush your finals :)