How to Stay Motivated for Second Semester

By Brittany Hawes on February 2, 2018

How does one stay motivated for second semester? Sometimes, it’s not so easy to do. The hustle and bustle of fall semester seems like it just ended. The taste of victory is probably still fresh in your mouth. You conquered fall semester like a boss, aced (or maybe just scraped by) those horrible final exams, and  then entered into winter break feeling like you weathered through a horrible storm. Finally, you got some peace and relaxation. No tests, no homework, no lectures—it was just you, some fun memories from fall semester, and whatever you decided to do for the next three weeks. (If you were like me, you might have worked. Boo!)

Then came the second semester, also known as the second half of the school year. Many students feel that the spring is decidedly more boring than the fall semester. Football season is over, there aren’t as many people on campus, and things just seem a bit quieter. The second semester is that halfway point where some students might feel like slowing down and slacking off a bit.

Yes, we’re halfway done! That means to keep running full-speed ahead, not slow down into a jog or even worse—a crawl! Let’s finish this school year out with a big bang so we can all enter into the blissful comfort of a school-free summer and enjoy every moment of it.

So, if you’re feeling those second-semester blues, I’m here to bring you some helpful ideas that will hopefully keep you motivated for second semester. Enjoy!

stay motivated for second semester

Image via Pixabay.com

Remember, slacking off could mean an extra semester—and more money out of pocket

Skipping class every now and then may seem like the thing to do because of how dull your classes are or because you think you know everything that’s being taught in the class that day. Unfortunately, too many absences could seriously affect your grade. If your grade drops low enough that you don’t pass a class, that could seriously mess up your future class schedules and graduation date. If you planned on going home to see your family for summer break or flying out of the country with your friends to experience Europe for the first time, you may have to postpone all of that so you can focus on achieving your graduation date on time.

You might think it’s okay to push your graduation date back some, but if you’re paying for your tuition, course fees, health insurance, and textbooks solely on student loans, you might not want to have to take out more loans to cover the expenses of having to take an extra semester in school. As much as I hate to be the bearer of bad news, those student loans are going to catch up with us one day and the less you have to take out, the less you’ll have to pay back once you graduate from college (or during college enrollment, yikes!).

If your parents are helping you pay for college, be thoughtful to them and do your best in classes so they won’t have to pay for an extra semester that you might not have had to take if you would have stayed motivated during second semester.

With all that said, think twice before skipping classes and sleeping during lectures!

Focus on your goal

Even if you feel bored out of your mind or ready for another break, you can stay motivated for second semester by focusing on your goal: graduation! You want that degree—every college student does. You want to finally hold it in your hand and have everything you worked so hard for come to fruition. But you must continue working hard to claim that degree and that means doing your best, even when all you feel like doing is relaxing in bed and binge-watching Stranger Things on your laptop.

If you feel yourself losing sight of your graduation goal, stop and take a deep breath. Create a vision board. Play Pomp and Circumstance on YouTube. List out your goals in a journal. Whatever makes your dreams of graduation seem closer, do it and don’t lose sight of that dream.

 Take time to relax

As easy as it is to say “do your work”, sometimes you really do need a break or you will feel like skipping class and start skimping on assignments. One awesome thing about second semester is that it contains one of the greatest vacations of all time: Spring Break! Plan an amazing trip with your best friend or family members and mark it on your calendar. That way, you’ll have something fun to look forward to about mid-way through the semester.

Second semester may seem like the “sleepy semester” but don’t let your determination slip! Do your best in this semester and you have a light load waiting for you in the summer! Happy second semester, all!

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