Staying motivated during the fourth quarter can be exhausting and frustrating. Many students find it especially challenging to balance academics during the final stretch of the school year. The trick to staying ahead is finding motivators and encouragement to keep pushing.
Most students find motivation in succeeding. They use this as a goal to accomplish by the end of the quarter. Senior Lleyton Bauman states, “I continue to look forward to my future and use that as motivation to finish strong so I can start the next chapter of life.”
Another reminder to tell yourself is to create a balance so there isn’t a pile of work at the end of the quarter. Another senior, Hannah Stimer, adds, “I don’t want to leave all of my work
for the last weeks, so I do my best to stay caught up or get ahead.” To do this, focus on creating a balanced routine. Routines can help with many things, they help make things less stressful and help students get used to their environment.
Creating a routine can look like many different things, some people prefer to use a calendar or lists. Others might just plan out their day in their heads. Either way, it can be a little overwhelming to some. Here’s how to break it down: Set goals, which can be as simple as passing a test or passing a class. Goals are a great way to stay motivated, and adding a reward to them can help even more. An example of this could be: “If I pass this test, I will reward myself with ice cream.”
Having a study space or study group can help with this as well. Study spaces are important to minimize distractions so that studying comes quickly and easily. To create a space like this, find a room or place you’re comfortable in and remove all distractions like cell phones, people, or anything else you could get distracted by. Gather all of the materials that you need and get comfortable so you don’t have to get up for anything. Study groups are also a great way to catch up on a topic you may be behind in. This combines a group of students and can introduce different ideas that may help each other understand the topic more easily.
While studying and goals are important, it is essential to also take care of the body and mind. In order for the body to function properly, sleep, a balanced diet, and regular physical activity are crucial. Taking breaks is also very important; if you push yourself too much, it is easy to get burned out and give up. Connecting with family and friends is also a great way to refresh and feel better the next day.
It is important to stay on top of your work as well as your health. Freshman Annie Saenz says, “I stay motivated to keep my
grades up so I can participate in track and field.” Sports can play a huge role in sports. They provide a health activity for students and can help the body feel more productive and healthier. This can also help influence students to stay ahead of their work so they can participate in activities.
As the year’s end grows near, staying motivated and not waiting until the last minute to finish work is beneficial. Before you know it, the year will be over and the grades will be finalized.
