Second semester can be rough. You don’t have the fresh energy that you had in the fall, but you have just as much work to do. This list will help you take on the new semester with the motivation you’ll need to finish the year strong.
Get Organized
The best way to have a great second semester is to get organized. Take the time to make a calendar for all of the major assignments that you’ll have throughout the semester. You’ll be able to look ahead and plan out your weeks better if you don’t need to go through every syllabus to figure out what work you have. You’ll thank yourself later. Another great strategy is to create structured folders for each class. When exams come along, you’ll be ready to get studying without searching for hours to try to find all of your notes and past tests.
Make a Motivational Playlist
Music can change your mood, so why not use that to your advantage? Make a playlist of motivational songs that will get you pumped up to do homework. (My go-to’s are Drake, P!nk, and Fetty Wap.) Not only will you become productive and motivated, but you’ll also end up with a great playlist.
Find a Study Place
This is arguably the most important thing that you can do in order to succeed in the spring semester. Once you find a place where you’re productive and focused, your life will get so much easier. Try out a few different places before you decide; while some people work well in the library, others feel much more motivated in their rooms or in the student center.
Study with Friends
Studying with friends is a great way to have fun while working. You can all quiz each other, split up the work, or just keep each other company while you all work on different things. Ask your friends to help you stay focused– they won’t hesitate to let you know when you’re slacking off. Studying with friends can be awesome, but remember that it can also be distracting. Opt to study alone when you really need to focus on an assignment for a long period of time.
Try Something New
Trying something new can bring back the energy and motivation that you seem to have lost over winter break. Switching up your routine by adding something new will make everything seem as fresh as if it’s a new school year, rather than just a new semester. Joining a club or picking up a new hobby can be fun, rewarding, and who knows– you might meet some new people in the process. It doesn’t need to be a major time commitment. The idea is to enrich your semester, not to get completely overwhelmed.
Go Outside
Along the same lines as trying something new is getting outside. Even though it’s still cold outside, being cooped up in your room all day won’t do anything good for your motivation. Get your blood pumping with a run, take a walk, or go do something you’ve never done before in the neighborhood. It’ll help you feel rejuvenated and ready to be productive.
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