Staying Motivated in the Second Semester

When people hear the phrase “new year, new me”, they freak out. People often get too overwhelmed to work towards this “new, better version” of themselves. It’s hard to stay motivated without feeling like we need extra jam-packed, productive schedules and morning routines.

Many, including us, have this glamorized view of those Instagram influencers creating a “simple” yet effective morning or after-school routines that look easy. We are so quick to judge whether something is or isn’t doable for us and if it fits the criteria of our busy lives. We romanticize what our lives would look like if we just follow these extensive habits or be that one successful person we see on our feed when we don’t.

But no need to worry, because let's face it: we don't need five  different routines or 27 study techniques. All we need is a little motivation. While that may sound cliché, it's been proven by scientists. It's probably the most helpful thing we could ask for. So if you want to quit being that unmotivated student and are aspiring to be that A student who seems to always have everything under control instead, here are a few tips to get you started off right this semester: 

• First things first, sleep. Sleep is crucial. That may sound like something your parents tell you to get more of, but it really shapes how our day is going to go. To be a functional and working human being, teens should aim for at least 8-10 hours of sleep every night. This is the one thing that can either make or break your day. In order to get proper sleep, it starts with what you do right before bed. You should try not to use any type of screen an hour before you go to bed. Another helpful thing to help achieve this is clearing your mind or getting into the right mindset for sleep. Try taking a few deep breaths or journaling a bit for five minutes every day. This “downtime” can do wonders for your sleep, and you will most likely wake up the next day feeling energized.

• Create a consistent schedule. This can be small; it doesn't need to be crazy, but make a little after-school routine so you can get organized and keep track of your life. For example, maybe you do homework for 30-45 minutes, then take a break for 10. Just keep track of what you're doing in those time blocks without stressing about how long things are taking. As long as you are focused on those periods of time and are accomplishing small tasks one by one without draining all your energy into one big project, your workload will feel much lighter and not so daunting.

• Do something that you genuinely enjoy. When you do something that makes you feel happy, you can put that same energy into the other important things in your life. If you like to draw or read, for example, then setting aside time for just those things can be beneficial. If you are interested in a certain topic, you can do a deep dive into it, like researching, watching videos on YouTube, etc. Just do something that you can get a positive effect out of while having fun while also being productive in the process. On the other hand, when you study for two hours straight with no break in between, it’s guaranteed you are going to be exhausted. Having that balance will make you more motivated to do the things you need to do. You can also try turning your everyday tasks into a game, making it more fun and approachable. For example, the next time you want to go on your phone, try doing something you don't want to do first, like cleaning for 15 minutes or making your bed. This will make you feel more accomplished and feel like you achieved something small, yet helpful, in jump-starting your day with the motivation you need to keep going and doing harder tasks.

These small changes with big outcomes will save us from burnout, keeping both our mental and physical health in check. When we do simple things like this, we will slowly start to feel more energetic and happier again, and our bodies will thank us. This is exactly what all of us need, especially when getting back into the system, as it can feel uncomfortable at times.