As the days get shorter and the deadlines get closer, winter can be a difficult time for students. It can feel like everything’s piling up at a time when you should be relaxing, and spending time with friends. So, what can you do to stay motivated? Here are some tips to help you stay on track during those last gruelling weeks of Winter term at uni.
1. Set clear goals
This may seem like an obvious one, but sometimes, when we have lots on our plate, our actual goals can get lost in the mix. Step back and ask yourself, what do I want to achieve? Also, and perhaps more importantly, make sure that these goals are achievable. SMART goals are a great place to start here as a framework that helps you to set objectives. This means goals must be, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This approach can help you break down bigger tasks into smaller ones, and define deadlines for work or other things on your to-do list. After all, the more you can see and track your progress, the more likely you are to finish the task on time.
2. Maintain a routine
At university, when your time is primarily self-managed, it’s easy to fall out of a routine. Maintaining a routine will add structure to your days which helps you to make sure that you stay on track with your workload. Furthermore, when the days are shorter, getting in those sunlight hours is key. You might not want to hear it, but waking up early and going to bed early will help you maximise your daylight hours and the amount of time you have to work. Work best int he evening? If that’s better for you, you can structure your days around an evening work schedule, in order to work most effectively, and help you stay on target.
3. Change of scenery
Sometimes the barrier to motivation can be our surroundings. Sitting at the same desk, day after day, can make you feel like you’re not getting anywhere with work. Why not try a change of scenery? You could move to a different room in your house or flat, or get outside to a cafe, study space, or library. If studying alone is the problem, you could join a study group, or study with friends. Sometimes, even being outside, and surrounded by other people is enough to hold yourself more accountable and get the work done.
4. Take breaks
I know, I know. I’m sure you’ve probably been told this a million times before. I know I have, and my first thought has always been “but I don’t have time to take breaks!”. The truth is, you physically cannot work at your best if you’re not resting, and that means proper resting.
A lot of the time, when we’re running on adrenaline and little sleep, or irregular meal patterns, resting can look like something passive like scrolling on social media. In fact, studies have shown that tired people often choose low-effort, high-stimulation activities like social media. The problem with this is that the short videos and posts keep our brains actively processing information. This means that when we go back to work, we feel like we haven’t really rested. It can lead to a situation where you’re essentially running on 50% all the time. When you’re working, you’re tired and want to stop, and when you have a break, you feel stressed about the amount of work you’ve done (or not done), and dread starting again.
In reality, it’s worse than that; cumulative sleep restriction actually causes a progressive decrease in performance abilities. Scary stuff. But still, this is why it’s super important to properly rest when you work. You could read a chapter of a book, go for a walk, cook a meal, chat with a friend, or simply lie down and relax during breaks like these. Setting a cut-off time for studying can also help you get a good night’s sleep, and differentiate between “work” time and “break” time.
5. Reward yourself
Just not feeling the motivation? Why not incentivise yourself with a little treat. Maybe you could get that poster you’ve wanted for your wall, or buy a book you’ve had your eye on. If the project is bigger, you could always “save up” the treat for a big reward once you’ve finished the entire thing. The best part about this incentivisation is that it’s entirely tailored to what works for you. Get creative with it!
6. Practise self-care
Above all, taking care of your physical and mental wellbeing is most important during these stressful periods, and during the winter months more generally. A consistent sleep schedule, eating routine, and regular exercise or activity are the foundation to staying motivated during this period. Maybe you have some comfort meals on rotation, or maybe a bedtime routine, or maybe you have a regular running route or indoor gym. Taking time out for yourself when the workload is intense is key to staying on track.
7. Reach out to your support network
It’s not always possible to keep yourself on track entirely on your own. If you’re struggling to stay motivated and hold yourself accountable during the colder months, make sure to lean on your network for support and comfort. This could look like chatting to your relatives on the phone, confiding in a partner, or hanging out with friends. Working in winter can feel overwhelming, and reaching out ot loved ones can help alleviate some of that stress.