It is a lovely day. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the green grass on the quad is calling to you – and you are stuck inside. While it’s nice that campus is finally thawing out, the warmer weather can make it especially difficult to find the desire to stay on top of your school work. Compounded with the added excitement about your summer plans or even life after Lawrence, Spring Term can be especially difficult time during which to maintain your motivation.
But do not fret! Here are some ways to keep your productivity in high-gear through mid-June (and beyond).
1. Break the seal of hesitation. Sometimes the hardest step in a project is getting started. Often, rather than actually writing a draft of that term paper or working on that big piece, it is easier to keep planning – which can cause you to get caught up in the “pre-work” process. Rather than getting bogged down in the preparations, remember that the earlier you start your new project the sooner you can start getting feedback and revising your work. Doing so can help you end up with the strongest finished produt possible.
2. Continue working (at least a little) everyday. One of the great things about being an upperclassman (or even a Spring-Term freshman) is that you have more control over your schedule, meaning you may have figured out a way to have big blocks of time without classes. While this new schedule may be liberating, it may also enable you to feel a little too comfortable not working on certain days. Get used to getting stuff done and you will not get in the habit of doing nothing during all of your time between classes.
3. Develop a routine. Part of being able to work on your project each day is making sure you have time set aside to do so. While routines may seem monotonous, they can allow you to get in a rhythm that can foster increased productivity. Also, if you get in the habit of maintaining a work schedule, it will not feel so jarring when project deadlines have crept up and you have to buckle down.
