This article is for those SNU students who are feeling burnt out as the semester goes on, coming close to an end. It’s really difficult to stay motivated when summer break is only a month away, and you just want to be finished with the onslaught of class work.
Motivation is the drive to achieve one’s goals and keep up with one’s courses, so it’s very important to maintain motivation at this point in the semester as we students try to wrap up classes nicely and get the grades we’ve been striving for.
I will be giving readers a few tips about how to stay motivated, and what to do to regain motivation if you feel you’ve lost it.
According to HealthDirect, the best way to start is to set a specific and achievable goal. Set one for each class, then break each of those goals into small, easy steps that can be worked towards every week until completion.
As the semester rolls on, be sure to regularly review your goals and progress. Seeing yourself progress gives you a boost of self-esteem and builds the motivation to set new goals for yourself. Be sure, however, that you only tackle one goal at a time head-on. This will help you avoid overwhelming yourself and hitting a burn out, losing all your energy and momentum.
Don’t be afraid to look for mentors or support figures; for example, look to your professors and advisors. They want you to learn in their classes and get the most that you can out of what they’re teaching. Most importantly, they are there to see you succeed and ensure that you can be your best self, granting you insight. It’s always worth reaching out to them to maintain motivation, and hear their words of wisdom and affirmation.
Be kind to yourself as well. Commending yourself for your efforts can remind you of how far you’ve come. It’s also good to surround yourself with positive people. Positive friends and family can enhance the feeling of pride you may have for your hard work, boosting motivation.
If you find yourself losing motivation, HealthDirect also has ideas to help you find your footing again, assuring that setbacks happen, but that doesn’t mean they should stop you from regaining what you lost.
First, look over your goals and review them. Ask yourself: are these realistic and achievable? If not, you may need to reevaluate.
It also may be helpful to reflect on why you wanted to get motivated or reach your goals in the first place. It’s good to remember where and why you started something because it may reignite that spark.
Sometimes, though, you just need to take a break and start anew.
We here at the ECHO wish students the best of luck and hope everyone finishes this semester strong!
Photo by Ahmed Zayan on Unsplash