We did it, guys! We made it halfway through the semester, and I can almost taste the fresh air and relaxation that is waiting at the end of finals week. However, since the end is so close and spring break has just finished, it's easy to find yourself lacking motivation to do literally anything at all. I know I've definitely caught this strange form of undergraduate "senioritis", and I am none too happy about it!
That's why I've compiled a list of things that will help to beat this mid-semester laziness so that we can all complete all of our goals for the semester and end strong. I hope you enjoy!
1. Review your goals!
I literally just looked at my Spring Semester Goals post from January and realized that I've slacked off on almost everything that I set out to accomplish - yikes.
Take this time to re-evaluate all of the goals you listed at the beginning of the semester: Were you being too ambitious? Or did you already complete everything on your list? In any case, look at what you've done and what you have left to do, and make adjustments as necessary. It's okay if you need to take a thing or two off of that list so that you can focus on something more important, and it's totally fine to be more ambitious if you think you can handle it!
Once you've re-evaluated your list, put it up somewhere visible - whether it's on a whiteboard in your room or on a sticky note in your planner, keep your semester goals on hand at all times. Perhaps it'll inspire you to study for a few extra minutes so that you can get that 4.0 you've been dreaming of, or maybe it'll motivate you to go to the gym if you wanted to get fit this semester.
The power of sticky notes, man. They work wonders.
Once you've re-evaluated your list, put it up somewhere visible - whether it's on a whiteboard in your room or on a sticky note in your planner, keep your semester goals on hand at all times. Perhaps it'll inspire you to study for a few extra minutes so that you can get that 4.0 you've been dreaming of, or maybe it'll motivate you to go to the gym if you wanted to get fit this semester.
The power of sticky notes, man. They work wonders.
2. Step out of your comfort zone.
com·fort zone (ˈkəmfərt zōn) - (noun) - a place or situation where one feels safe or at ease and without stressI'll be the first to admit that I enjoy being comfortable - I enjoy things that make me feel safe (see: leggings, journals, big fluffy blankets, coffee), and I strongly despise things that are the opposite (see: dresses, talking to strangers, studying in the library). However, staying "safe" can be detrimental to your productivity, and all you really need is a change in scenery to initiate a good ol' reality check & push you towards your goals.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am still going to enjoy my big fluffy blankets and my morning coffee - don't sacrifice things that make you happy. Instead, switch one or two things up about your daily routine to combat boredom and see if anything changes! Try dressing up and doing your makeup for classes instead of embracing the "I woke up like this" pajama-chic look (we've all done it, there's no need to be ashamed!), or maybe venture out on campus and study on the green instead of in your room or a study lounge.
Though they are small changes, I guarantee that they will have an influence on your mood in one way or another. Sometimes a change in pace is all you really need to get yourself back on track, and if you can be the one to initiate it, why wouldn't you?
3. Look to the future.
Inspiration is hard to come by when you feel like you're drowning in work, but I promise you it still exists if you look hard enough. When I am particularly de-motivated, I like to take a break from the stress and homework and use that time to plan out my next day or prepare for the week ahead. That might sound absolutely insane to some people, but thinking about the future truly helps me cope with the present, simply because it means that I'll get through whatever roadblock I am experiencing currently.
Your math homework might seem annoyingly difficult right now in this very moment (why does one problem in my Differential Equations assignment take up TWO WHOLE PAGES???), but instead of taking the time to think about how stressful it is and how it seems impossible, picture how relaxed you'll be when you finish the work and you have nothing left to do for the day. Try to use that image in your head as motivation to get to the point of relaxation that you so desperately want - keeping that thought in the back of your mind will help you forget about your current strife and help you be more productive at the end of the day.
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If you're currently experiencing a mid-semester slump, don't worry - it happens to nearly everybody, and you're definitely not alone! I hope that these tips will help you combat that lack of inspiration and finish the final stretch of the semester strong. Go get 'em, friend; you can do it!
Are you in a mid-semester slump? How are you coping?
