How to Work Your Way Out of A Mid-Semester Slump
Posted March 15, 2018
Is your coursework becoming a bit overwhelming? Do you find yourself hitting the snooze button one too many times before your 8 a.m. lecture? Are your binge-watching the latest season of your favorite TV show instead of studying for your midterms?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you may be in a mid-semester slump. But, never fear! I’m here to offer some helpful tips to get you out of this funk!
Make A Plan & Prioritize
Buy, find or create a planner or calendar to help you stay organized throughout the remainder of the semester. Use weekly and monthly layouts to ensure maximum productivity!
Jot down everything from homework assignment and project due dates, quizzes and exams in pencil. This way, if an assignment gets removed from the syllabus or a test gets pushed back, you won’t have to invest in white-out or create a sloppy, inky mess from scratching out assignments.
Find or create a timetable to help map out your day. By marking the time spent in class or working, you will have an easy reference point to see how much time is available for you to study between your responsibilities! Here’s an example of a timetable:
Make a to-do list of the activities you need to finish. You may organize this by class, due date, or other factors. Prioritize these tasks accordingly, and always save the easiest tasks or your favorite subject for last.
Find Some Inspiration
There are hundreds of blogs across the worldwide web that are dedicated to providing the best “study inspiration.” Want to see a clean and tidy workspace? How about a notebook that challenges the meaning of “meticulous?” Head to Tumblr and search “studyblr” or simply “study” for some inspirational photographs, study tips, and, my personal favorite, in-depth reviews on what pens you should take notes with.
Tidy up
A clean and tidy workspace equals a tidy mind. Seriously! Some geniuses who study workplace management have found that a spacious, clean workspace keeps employees on task. So, throw away all those empty water bottles and last month’s cup-o-noodles, straighten up your room, make your bed, and get down to business (the business of studying, of course).
If you are more comfortable studying in the library, organize your workspace accordingly rather than just sprawling out all your notes and textbooks on the tables around you.
Remove all the garbage and recycle all the unneeded papers cluttering your backpack before each study session. This way, you’ll have exactly what you need, without the unnecessary mess.
Unplug
When used correctly, the internet can be an appropriate tool for acquiring research materials, reading e-books, or brushing up on local and world news. In fact, the opportunities for gaining knowledge on the internet are practically endless! Unfortunately, we all know how easy it is to get distracted, especially with our smartphones, tablets, and other devices. One second you think, “Oh, I’m just going to check my Facebook, or post this tweet, and then I’ll get back to studying,” But, before you know it, it’s two hours later, you’ve just finished your eighth “puppy fail video” on YouTube, and your homework looks like this:
When using your laptop to write a paper or study, use browser plug-ins like Focus to remind you to stay on task by blocking distracting websites like Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, or Tumblr. The extension also offers a clean space for digital to-do lists and a work log for each of your “focused” sessions.
Turn your phone on silent (or better yet, do not disturb mode) and plug that little guy in as far away as your work space as possible. Message your parents, best friend and significant other and say that you need to finish your work with as little distractions as possible; I promise they will all understand!
Kick it old school. If you’ve collected all of your study materials, there’s nothing better than writing down what you need to remember on flash cards or in a notebook. If you prefer to take notes on a laptop, rewrite them by hand for maximum retention!
Move
Get up and dance. Seriously! Some research shows that listening to your favorite music and busting a move between your study sessions releases dopamine, the fancy hormone in our brains that makes us feel happy and rewarded. Dancing is also a great form of exercise, and getting your blood pumping between sessions can also give you more energy.
Hit the gym for some light cardio. Did you know that people who exercised during the day are 23 percent more productive than on days that they don’t exercise? According to the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, a pulse-pounding workout helps circulation, fill you with energy, and helps your thinking become clearer!The Student Fitness Center offers plenty of ways to get you moving, but don’t push yourself too far or use working out as a way to procrastinate!
Get Some Sleep
College students are unfortunately some of the most sleep-deprived individuals in America. On average, most undergraduates get around 6 to 7 hours per night, with that amount of sleep, they may feel more tired, sad, or stressed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all adults get at least eight hours of sleep per night. Also, do everything in your power not to study into the wee-hours of the morning. Pulling an all-nighter before your exams can often do more harm than good, especially when you can’t remember what you’ve worked so desperately to cram the night before.
Treat Yo’ Self
Study sessions and working on hours’ worth of homework can mentally and physically take a lot out of you, and for that, you deserve to relax and be rewarded! Snatch that cell phone off the charger, catch up on your social media, make plans with friends, enjoy a sweet treat, meditate, take a bubble bath, take a nap, paint, draw, blog, play video games… Once all your work is finished, these activities can help you decompress and relax. You deserve it!
Never Be Afraid to Ask For Help
SIUE’s faculty members are here to help you succeed. If you find yourself falling behind, take time to scope out your professor’s office hours, and explain your situation. These folks are experts in their field, and will do just about everything in their power to help you understand anything on their specific topic.
Of course, if some things aren’t clicking, SIUE provides a plethora of opportunities for tutoring, development, supplemental instruction, and workshops through Learning Support Services.
There’s no going around this: College can be a difficult time for a lot of students. According to Active Minds, mental health issues are a leading impediment to academic success among college students. Issues like mental like anxiety, depression, or eating disorders, are associated with lower GPA and even a higher probability of dropping out.
If you are struggling, do not be afraid to ask someone at Counseling Services for help. The group is staffed by professional psychologists and counselors, and each person you encounter trained to help you acquire more effective skills through individual and group counseling, bibliotherapy, healthy living workshops and consultations. Remember, you are not alone.
I hope you were taking notes! Just kidding. Use this guide accordingly and you should be out of that mid-semester funk in no time. Remember, you’ve got this! Happy studying!
By Madelaine Gerard, master’s candidate, media studies
(images courtesy of Giphy.com)