With school beginning to wind down on the assignments and start up the pressure for finals, a lot of us are feeling that summer itch. Break is right around the corner. Daylight lasts longer. And the weather is warmer. So, how does one concentrate at a desk? Procrastination is hard during the school year, and by the end, it can feel like a marathon you have no interest in even beginning.
With all the hard work you’ve put in this year and the dedication you’ve shown your classes, you owe it to yourself to finish strong. If you’re running a race or finishing a class, the last bit of effort can make all the difference.
Here are some great tips to finish this school year with a bang.
- Get rid of any and all distraction.
Knowing yourself will make this one easier. Do you find yourself glued to your phone, a video game, a TV or even a book you’re reading for pleasure? Changing your location to avoid these distraction or even putting your phone on airplane mode will have all eyes and attention directed to your homework
- Let people know you are busy.
If you know you have a family member who calls you frequently, friends who text you about the latest parties or a significant other who wants to go out to eat, let them know in advance you are unavailable. This will put less pressure on you to say no and saves everyone a lot of time, while you’re being even more productive.
- Set up a routine.
Schedule time to specifically study. Adding in times throughout the week to study will be a great way to balance your busy life, while still having room for fun.
- Try listening to different soundtracks or playlists while studying.
If you can, listen to songs with words, or instrumentals, beats, maybe even sounds like rainwater. Make a playlist or find some you enjoy from Youtube, Spotify, AppleMusic, etc. Experiment to see what helps you focus. This is your time to cultivate your space to suit you.
- Reward yourself!
I think this is a big point to keep in mind. Often, during this time of year, we chose not to study or focus on school because we want to fill our time with summer activities. Prioritizing your work, and then adding an incentive to reward yourself is a great study method to keep yourself focused and determined to finish your work. Liberate yourself with your own hard work and determination.
If you know a final is coming up and you want to get a good grade, challenge yourself. Figure out what grade you want to get on a final and be determined to make it happen. If you achieve that, splurge on whatever you want — a new haircut, fresh set of nails, a new video game or even the biggest meal Chick-Fil-A has to offer. Spoil yourself for putting in the work, because you deserve it.
