As we approach the middle of the second semester, most of us start to lose steam. Not only are we all sick and tired of school and all of the homework that comes with it, but the weather is also just so cold. The cure to this lack of energy is to stay inside, cuddle up with some fuzzy blankets and watch Netflix all day. Although this may seem tempting, life isn’t going to stop just because you “aren’t feeling it.” All the school work and life tasks won’t disappear unless you set your mind to it and get it done. Here are five tips to keep you motivated so you can get through the winter semester.
1. Have a life outside of school
Have fun! Yes, school is super stressful and time consuming, especially when it comes to midterm season. However, your life shouldn’t revolve around school. This is your last couple of months before friends move for summer jobs or start full-time jobs, so enjoy the time you have with your school pals. Take advantage of all of the activities and events happening in your area! Before you know it, you will be graduating from post-secondary, so enjoy being young. The opportunities you have right now won’t always be around!
2. Look forward to summer plans
Second semester can feel like forever with the cold weather and never ending assignments, but summer is just around the corner. This time of year is hiring season for summer jobs so get your cover letters and resume ready. There are always so many opportunities for students in the summer! A summer job doesn’t always mean you have to return to the same job that you have been working since you were 14. Resorts all over the place are always looking to hire seasonal employees for their busy summer season! This is a great opportunity to meet new people and have awesome new experiences!
3. Start a new hobby
The winter can feel dull and repetitive with the same routine over and over again. Get up, go to school, homework, procrastinate, eat and sleep, repeat. This can make the semester go by extremely slowly. To get out of this slump, you can start a new hobby that you can work towards for the rest of the year. This allows you to have a little bit of excitement to your day as well as a goal that you can be proud of achieving. This can be as simple as starting a new fitness class such as yoga or dance. Another idea is to pick up an instrument; the ukulele is a great simple instrument that is easy to learn. All you need is a ukulele and YouTube and you’re good to go. Perhaps cooking may interest you, try new recipes, something you’ve never made before!
4. Stay fit and healthy
Eating right and having the proper amount of exercise everyday helps reduce stress levels as well as helps you have more energy. Eating healthy is so simple and gives you plenty of benefits. A few healthy snacks can be as simple as apples and peanut butter or a smoothie. These healthy eats will make you feel good and give you plenty of energy for everything you have stored for the day. Exercising also goes hand in hand with being healthy. The best way to relieve stress from school is exercise! You may not always be keen to going to the gym or run/walk but trust me, you will feel a lot better. It’s a great way to clear your mind so you can start fresh.
5. Reward yourself
After you have achieved a goal or got an assignment done, reward yourself! A reward can be going out for lunch with a friend or taking a break and watching Netflix. Studying isn’t always the most fun part of your day but by rewarding yourself after finishing your notes makes you not hate school so much. This is also a great way to keep you motivated to keep going so you can get the end prize.