Column: how to overcome spring fever and find motivation to finish strong

By Rebekah McPheeters, Contributing Writer

Students all across campus have seemed to lose motivation after Spring Break and are having trouble staying focused.  With 30 days of the semester left to go, it is important to maintain focus. 

The symptoms of spring fever can include feelings of restlessness and excitement.  Most students are looking forward to their summer plans.  Extreme cases of spring fever are known as senioritis. 

“The lack of motivation only increased my stress about all of the large assignments due in April,” senior Rebecca Lee said

Here are some of the top suggestions for getting through spring fever:

Keep a regular schedule. 

As the year moves on, all the strictly resolute plans to wake up early and get to bed on time are often not maintained.  However, if you can keep a regular schedule, your body is more at rest, and your mind is able to focus more. 

When you can, add a time to exercise to your schedule to decrease restlessness and increase mood.

“Whenever I started to exercise, I began to be more productive and relaxed during the day,” junior Amber Isaac said.

Keep track of your progress and success.

You grow so much from semester to semester.

What seemed overwhelming last year is achievable this year.  Journaling is a good way to process through each day and learn how to keep improving. 

“Journaling regularly helps me keep everything in perspective,” junior history major Emily Storm said.

Write practical to-do lists. 

Goals should keep us moving forward, so plan goals and to-do lists that don’t overwhelm you.  College does not last forever, so work hard through the end and make each day count. 

“Rather than feeling discouraged by how much I didn’t get done, I am motivated by how much work from my to-do list I finished,” Isaac said. 

These three top tips for the spring semester may seem simple, but they can help motivate you through April and May. 

Don’t forget to enjoy the amazing weather.  Spending time outside is known to improve your mood. 

Use these tips to help you achieve amazing things through these last two months.