Overcoming the Motivational Slump

We’ve reached that point in the term when exhaustion and a whole slew of deadlines hit you. Getting up each day becomes that little bit harder than the day before, especially if, like me, you haven’t quite figured out how to set the timer on the heating. It’s easy to think that one lazy day won’t make a difference, but it never is just the one.  As students, we still have commitments to our classes, our clubs and our social lives, and giving in to our lack of motivation can only be detrimental to our overall university experience. Here are a few tips on how to overcome that motivational slump and face each day, if not enthusiastically, at least by getting out of bed.

• Bribe yourself.

I wish I could say that I was exaggerating with this one but the only reason I made it to class this morning was by promising myself some churros and chocolate caliente on the way home if I did. With anything that you’re putting off or simply planning on avoiding (we all have that one class that is more trouble than it’s worth), make a deal with yourself. If you manage to hand that piece of work in on time, treat yourself to lunch with a friend. If you make it to all your classes during the week, order takeaway on Friday evening or go wild at Shabang. Promising yourself something enjoyable may just motivate you to do all those irritating tasks that you’ve been putting off.

• Remind yourself of your goals.

These goals can be as big or small as you wish but we all have them. Whether it’s finishing university with that coveted first or simply not having to feel guilty (and take that pesky percentage cut) when you hand your work in late again, focusing on these goals can offer the motivation boost that we all need on occasion. For me, it took a bit of soul-searching to decide on why exactly I should be making an effort to attend my class this morning. With grades not counting this year, the temptation of slipping into the mindset of ‘none of this matters’ or ‘it’s just about the experience, not the content’ is ever looming over me. It took a reminder that I’m here for the language exposure, and that classes are my main source of this, to propel me out of my nice warm bed this morning. I won’t go so far as to say that I’m glad I went but that is still better than feeling guilty for not going.

• Create a routine and stick to it.

I mentioned the importance of having a routine in my post ‘How to Manage Your Time at University’, and this only becomes more relevant as the semester progresses and deadlines start to pile up. Having a routine for both homework and all those pesky adult jobs that your parents once did for you means that you are less likely to start letting things slide. Managing your time properly makes it less probable that you’ll become overwhelmed and grants you less excuses for skipping classes!

So, good luck for overcoming that motivational slump and if you have any further tips on how to propel yourself out of bed in the morning, please drop me a comment below. With more cold weather looming, I know that I personally will need all the help that I can get!