You don’t feel like you have the energy to finish the semester? Feeling overwhelmed by the work that needs to be completed? Here are some thoughts that might help.

1. Give yourself a good, realistic reason. I am not going to insult you by telling you that it is time to get pumped up about the work that you have ahead of you. Let’s be honest with ourselves. You are an expert at telling yourself why you don’t need to study or do as much work required of you. Let’s take a look at changing the negative script. Pay attention attention to what thoughts come to mind when you start to think about studying.

• I’d rather do something else.
• I can study later.
• This class is boring.
• I really don’t understand the material.

Some ideas to replace the negative self-talk messages:

• If I get some studying done now I won’t have to worry about it later.
• Boring work isn’t going to get more interesting later. I can get started now and take short breaks to break up the subject matter.
• If I open my computer and get my notes out and begin lecture series, at least I will feel like I’m heading in the right direction. Once I get started, things will start to flow.

2. You are in charge of your feelings. If you are worrying about studying and feeling tense because of it, staying calm and productive will be difficult. Instead of doing things to escalate anxiety, try and do the opposite.

• Study consistently. Study for 30 minutes at a time if that is all you can handle. You might surprise yourself and do more. Take a break and then study another 30 minutes. You are less likely to criticize yourself for doing less.
• Being productive early and often beats last minute cramming and less worry.
• It is important to pay attention to physical tension. Take a break, do some yoga for a few minutes, meditate, do some cardio or take a hot bath.

3. If you haven’t tried this, look into getting a study buddy. Studying with a classmate or friend can be beneficial. Some of the benefits might be:

• You are less likely to not show up to study because you would be breaking a commitment.
• Teaching and discussing course material will help in the retention of that material.
• Having someone to talk to during breaks makes the time studying less intense and tedious.
• While working on different things might boost your motivation to get the studying completed.
• Working with a study partner might be a good way to get out of the house and away from distractions.

4. Use problem-focused coping skills. When you have course material that you need to read, lectures to watch, flash cards to review and exams to get ready for, at some point the work needs to get done. Problem-focused skills will help you stay on track.

• Figure out what needs to be done and how long it will take.
• Schedule a time and put it on your calendar, smart phone or any other device that you use to keep your schedule.
• The things that are more challenging or more important work on first.
• Identify things that would prevent you from achieving your goal. What can you do about them?
• Reach out to anyone that may be able to help you and/or give you advice about how to finish strong. That might be academic counselor, faculty, tutors, mentors, and other students.