Midterms are over so what can you do to get a good start to the second semester?
Although it may seem tempting to relax after all the hard work you spent studying, I would recommend the opposite. It is vital to start off strong, if you start slacking, assignments will pile up and you will find yourself overwhelmed. Don’t let one missing assignment turn into 10.
Since the weather outside is frightful, there is more time to focus on your grades and assignments. From experience, I have found that procrastinating will do you no good. Before midterms, I had about 10 missing assignments in one of my classes. Unfortunately, I cannot blame senioritis for everything, especially 10 missing assignments. I now just wish I had kept up with all of my assignments so I wasn’t bombarded with hours of homework on top of studying for midterms. So here are some important tips to make sure you are on top of everything:
Set aside time in your day dedicated to homework. Yes, hanging out with friends and extracurricular activities are great, you should not let those get in the way of schoolwork. Take breaks if the work is too overwhelming. It is best to distract yourself only when you need to, this way it will be easier to get back on track after a quick break. Find something that motivates you. For me, I like to eat snacks while working because I feel as if it is a reward for all my hard work.
Make sure there are things you do in your day that bring you joy and make you happy. Homework is horrible, school is horrible, and make sure there is something in your day that you look forward to. Prioritize your well-being. If you are too stressed and overwhelmed, you can always ask your teacher for an extension or accept the late grade. The last thing you want to do is work yourself until your breaking point.
It’s hard to get motivated and do work the week after a grueling schedule of exams. However, to set you up for success for the second semester and finals, starting off the third quarter strong is essential.
