By Zoya Naqvi
Contributing Writer
Photo from Getty Images
The second half of the spring semester is always rough. The weather gets better, you wish spring break was longer and you just can’t find the energy to focus. Here are six small, but effective, changes you can make to start the second half right:
- Keep Your Environment Clean:
A clean dorm room is equivalent to a clean brain. Avoid cluttering your space by setting time aside to clean your room every day. It’s important to keep the right environment because it sets the vibe for your studying session. The best way to keep a dorm room clean is to stay organized. Keep permanent spots for everything so cleaning can be quick and easy.
- Take Clean Notes:
This may sound weird, but having a good-looking notebook and good-looking notes makes all the difference. When your notes look nice, you’ll actually look forward to reading them. The same applies to files on your desktop or laptop. It’s best to keep things minimalistic.
- Take the Right Amount of Breaks:
We all know that breaks are the best to regain focus. When you step away from the computer or your books for a few minutes, you are able to look back at your work with a clear head. However, sometimes, we spoil ourselves and take too many breaks. Or sometimes, you’re on the opposite side of the spectrum and don’t take enough. Listen to your gut.
- Change your bag/school supplies:
This tip will make you look forward to studying. Something as small as switching your bag or writing utensils mid-semester can make the biggest difference.
- Take the Bull By the Horns:
We all know that school gives us anxiety and stress, but sometimes procrastinating makes things worse for us. The best advice I’ve been given in life is to take the bull by the horns. It’s easier said than done, but conquering this task takes time and practice. Start your day off with harder tasks, and then slowly end the day off with easier ones.
- Avoid the “All-Nighter”:
Sleep is important for your mind and body. Pulling an all-nighter means your fighting your body’s natural cycle, which is not only difficult but extremely unhealthy. Keep a checklist for things to do each day and make sure each box is ticked before you get a full eight hours of sleep.