We are now more than half way through the school year! Now is not the time to lose your focus and motivation. Here are some tips to help you finish the year strong!

Stay focused on the future: Your motivation can suffer when you are stressed. Rather than dwelling on how much you have to do, make a list of your motivators and remind yourself of your goals when times get tough.

 

Make a plan and stick to it: If you have procrastinated throughout the semester, it is time to break that habit for good. Write down all your deadlines, meetings, and exam dates in your planner so that you can give yourself ample time to complete each assignment. Then, plan out which tasks you want to tackle each day. It might look like a lot but breaking up your work into manageable sections will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. This will be very helpful in college too!

Lean on your support network: Remember that you do not have to do it alone. Your teachers and counselors are here to help you succeed, so do not hesitate to ask for extra help if you need it.  Family and friends can lend a hand when you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed by helping you study or giving you encouragement and support.

 

Do not forget to make time for yourself: Studying and working hard is important, but everyone needs a break. It is essential to dedicate some time to yourself to relax and recharge for the next day. Whether you spend time with family, go for a walk, or go out for dinner, you deserve time to relax. Anything that can take your mind off from everyday stressors will benefit you both academically and emotionally.

 

Celebrate your accomplishments: Most importantly, give yourself credit for everything you have accomplished so far. This has been a year of challenges. Celebrate how well you have navigated each challenge!

 

Add Some Exercise: When you are low on energy, adding exercise to your routine may sound dreadful. But making the time for physical activity can help relieve your stress, increase your energy, and clear things up mentally. Go for a nice long walk outside or play a pick-up game with friends. No matter what you do, promise yourself you will do it for at least 30 minutes. Chances are you will be surprised at how much better you feel.

 

Do something creative. Sometimes, the demands of school mean you end up spending your entire day working on school-related tasks. Give yourself an hour or two to do something creative - not for a grade, not for an assignment, but simply because you need to allow your brain to take a break and do something non-school-related.