Working Student | Photo by Kayli Thompson | The Wright State Guardian
The time between mid-December of one year and mid-January of the next is full of transitions and holiday celebrations, but it is also full of boredom. Lack of school and work can cause a confusing mess. Here are five tips to stay motivated and focused for the spring semester.
Set small goals each day
Have an important project to complete a week into 2021, or want to accomplish a large goal during the new year? Trying to stay productive but not sure where to start? Complete a small portion of that task every day and set up a reward system for achieving that goal. It will be much easier splitting that task into chunks than it would be to conquer it last minute.
Plan days of relaxation
After a few days of heavy work and productivity, a day of rest is needed to recharge and prepare for what lies ahead. Read a book, grab lunch with a friend or take part in any activity that could be considered relaxing. That way, burnout can be avoided and the next day of work does not feel exhausting.
Take time to clean
Cleaning your bedroom or a frequently-visited part of the house can be therapeutic especially since those spaces will often be visited during winter break. There is more time now to do that cleaning due to the break. Turn on the radio and take a few hours to clear out any unwanted items lying around. Cleaning out negative thoughts in the brain that have built up over the past year can also be helpful.
Hit the hay at a reasonable hour
One way to clean the brain and think clearly is to go to bed at a decent hour. Instead of staying up all night binge-watching Netflix, try to fall asleep around midnight to clear out any fog left over from the fall semester and wake up refreshed. Plus, staying up late for nights on end would have the potential to continue into the spring semester, and no one wants that.
Plan a spring schedule in advance
After registering for classes, it is time to arrange a plan for how days will run during the spring semester. Make time so that any important priorities can be taken care of and be sure to leave free time and/or self-care in between school, work and other commitments.
