How to get out of a mid-semester rut
Just entering the eighth week of the semester, it’s easy to get into a rut. Especially when the weather turns colder, it can seem like any motivation to do well in school has practically been washed down the drain, never to be found again.
There are still seven weeks left in the semester, so don’t give up yet. Here are seven tips on how to get out of the mid-term crisis and make it to the finish line:
Find a new job
It’s not uncommon to feel more motivated and productive doing your work away from home or the dorm. It has been scientifically proven that when a person feels they are being watched, they tend to change their behavior for better or for worse. (So work in a public setting.)
If you find yourself having a hard time completing schoolwork in your dorm room or bedroom, it’s probably because your brain associates that environment with relaxation, rest, and sleep. Consider changing the environment in which you do your work. Cafes, the Alden Library and the Baker Center are perfect places for this.
Adopt a “done is better than perfect” mentality
Feeling like you’re doing sloppy work just to get it over with will most likely not make you feel great. You should be proud of the work you submit. You’ll feel better and more motivated to get on with other tasks if you do your best in every task.
That being said, don’t become a perfectionist – you’ll drive yourself crazy. If you’re in a rut, you probably don’t care about your grades, or if you do, you don’t have the energy to do anything to improve them. Adopting a “done is better than perfect” mentality can lower the bar for you and make getting tasks doable. This is better than getting a zero on the assignment.
Set small goals
When you’re in a rut, even getting out of bed can feel like an impossible task. Setting small, bite-sized, achievable goals will make it easier for you to get what needs to be done. The goal may just be “getting out of bed,” but the good news is that it’s actually achievable.
Once you’ve got that done, move on to the next bite-sized task. Breaking your to-do list down into small tasks makes everything you need to do seem that much less daunting. And don’t forget to reward yourself for achieving those goals, too. Completing five things from your to-do list could result in an episode of your current favorite show.
move your body
If you sometimes lack motivation, getting out of the house can help. A visit to the gym for a quick workout or a quick run down the bike path to get your blood pumping can leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on your next task. The runner’s high is real.
Find a mate even in a rut
Accountability can be a big help when you’re trying to slack off. Try to find a friend who is also in trouble that you can hold accountable and vice versa. In addition to holding you accountable, this friend can also become a study partner. You can meet up and go to your favorite coffee shop or the library and motivate each other to get work done.
Take regular breaks from work
Don’t work your way down a dead end. Breaks can help you avoid burnout, and a break can also serve as a reward for getting something done. Every 30 minutes of study can be rewarded with a five-minute break, or whatever time suits you. However, it’s not realistic to study for five hours at a time and be able to remember all that information.
Adopt a “Finish Strong” mentality
The semester ends on December 9th, which is right in the holiday season. You want to be able to enjoy the holidays knowing you’ve done your best in all your classes, rather than sloppily slacking off just to get by.
Finish the semester off right by studying all night for the final exams and getting feedback on the final papers. Knowing you did your best makes relaxing time with friends and family over the winter break that much more enjoyable.
There are still seven weeks left in the semester. You’re more than halfway there. And if you can’t believe we’re already in week eight, just imagine how quickly the next seven weeks will go by. Be kind to yourself, believe in yourself and finish strong.