by Laura Kostwinder, Head Writer If you, like many students, find yourself dreading Monday morning and struggling to find the drive to get through the week, then you might benefit from the following tips. 1. Romanticize the MundaneIf you’re dreading starting that physics assignment or struggling to get through your psychology textbook readings, this first tip might help. Try romanticizing little things in the day-to-day such as curating a morning routine and playlist or switching up your study space by going to a local cafe from time to time. You could also find an influential role model in your field of study to inspire you to learn. Read up on their biographies or watch a documentary or movie about them. Another thing you could incorporate easily for a few minutes a day is to engage your senses in a task. For example, try walking to the bus stop without listening to music and really pay attention to the sounds around you. This is a great way to be more present and practice mindfulness. Lastly, one rather unconventional trick to getting inspired is putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, so to speak. If you are studying biology or chemistry, pretend to be a famous scientist that is trying to find a revolutionary cure. If you are studying the humanities, try to get in the mindset of one of the greatest philosophers or artists in human history. While this might sound silly at first, it is really a great way to re-spark your interest in a topic and remember the importance of the work you do. 2. Nuture CreativityCreative expression is a way to enrich our lives and promote good emotional health. It keeps us inspired, helps us express ourselves, and boosts self-confidence. There are many ways to foster creativity, but here are some easy ideas for the busy life of a student. You could incorporate creativity into your study schedule by finding unique methods such as making mind maps, using fun mnemonics, or teaching an imaginary audience. You could even turn studying into a game. For example, you could make flashcards with your roommates or friends and test each other throughout the day and use a points system to see how many questions each person gets right. You can be creative with the outcomes of winning and losing as well. Maybe the consequence is having to take out the trash or pay for the winner’s coffee. Remember that creativity has no limits. If you don’t already have a creative hobby, take a few hours out of your weekly schedule and try experimenting with different ones. You could have a paint night with your roommates or try recording a podcast with your best friend for fun one day. Anything that breaks up your regular routine with new stimulation is great for getting a mental break. Remember that everyone is creative and that nurturing your creative side is incredibly helpful in boosting mood, enhancing cognitive function, and reducing stress so that you can better take on life’s challenges. 3. Set a Clear VisionIf you haven’t already, make a few goals for the semester, whether it be academic or personal. Have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, and then make a step-by-step plan to fulfill it. Make sure to break up the task into manageable parts daily or weekly to avoid feeling overwhelmed. For example, if you want to achieve X grade in a certain class, determine how many hours of studying a week you will need to do and schedule times in your schedule to do so. If your goal is to eat healthier, make an essential “must buy” grocery list that you take with you each week that includes healthy food options, leaving room for flexibility with add-ons. Another thing you can do is write down your goal and tape it to your mirror or wall in front of your desk to remind you of it each day. 4. Practice ModerationIn order to prevent burnout in school, it is crucial to practice moderation in all areas of life. A good rule of thumb is the 80/20 rule, which can be applied to almost anything. Following this idea means that about 80% of the time, you would be trying your best to study effectively, eat nutrient-dense meals, sleep enough and exercise, and the other 20%, you have some leeway. Knowing that you have this flexibility promotes productivity and work-life balance and prevents feelings of guilt. It is an intuitive way of living but can be made more structured by blocking out times in your schedule each day to have some downtime or by planning out meals and activities in advance. The key is to ensure you are checking in with your physical, mental and emotional health each day so you can be in tune with yourself and make changes accordingly. Laura is an undergraduate student at the University of Guelph, a Second Year Representative on the Psychology Society and a Head Writer on GetPsyched. Are you interested in submitting a post to GetPsyched? Make sure you fill out our submission form and send it back to us so we can showcase your ideas!
Edited by Katie Frankiewicz.
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