10 Steps to Stay Motivated Before Your Course Session is Up

As the end of your online class session draws near, maintaining the drive to push forward is even more critical than it was at the beginning. You may be working full time or caring for your family, but you can do this! Channel your inner student and take the appropriate steps to keep yourself on track. Consider these ten steps to keep you motivated as the session ends:

1. Create a schedule and follow a routine.

It’s not too late to prioritize your tasks by making a schedule. Work on any assignments that may be overdue first. Then, tackle the ones that are most difficult and allow enough time in your schedule to complete those over time. When you work on a little each day, you may find yourself less overwhelmed and able to start checking things off your to-do list.

2. Take breaks and exercise.

When establishing your agenda, include enough time for fun and exercise. Too much work can cause burnout, and that’s what you want to prevent when you’re close to the end of a session. After working on an assignment, go for a walk and enjoy the fresh air. Indulge in a treat, view a new movie, or spend time with family or friends. Whatever you chose to do, make sure it brings you joy and reduces your stress.

3. Set goals and rewards.

Utilize your schedule to set goals for yourself. Plan when to complete an assignment and then reward yourself when you carry out the task. However, make sure your goals and rewards are obtainable. Don’t expect to complete a research paper in a day. You want to encourage production, not stress yourself out.

4. Update or change your study space.

Break from routine and take your studies elsewhere if the monotony of staying in the same space – like your home workspace – is distracting you. Visit a coffee shop, bookstore, or library. You might discover that moving locations encourages your production and helps you regain your focus.

Disorganization can also hinder work production. So, if your study space is overflowing with books and papers, take a trip to the store and invest in wire storage baskets to help clear the area. Remove what you don’t need and move it to a basket for future reference.

5. Take advantage of your downtime.

Look for opportunities to squeeze in a little work in short periods of time. Review discussion board posts from classmates or answer a discussion board question. Check your instructor’s feedback on assignments to see if there’s anything you can do to improve your grades and what you’re doing well. Utilize all available university documents and resources, such as the mobile app, to complete work while on the go. You might be amazed by what you can get done while waiting in a doctor’s office or during your lunch break.

6. Overcome the setbacks.

If the start of the session did not go the way you had expected, don’t let a few setbacks prevent you from reaching your goals. Instead, look back and assess what went wrong. Determine what you can do differently to deal with the obstacles and stop them from occurring again.

Consider re-evaluating your routine or learning process. For instance, maybe you put off coursework until the end of the day, but that’s when you’re less energized. Waking up early and completing a few tasks before starting the day may be what your body needs to get the work done. Don’t think about what grade you’ll receive. If you are attempting to get the work done, be proud of yourself for the effort!

7. Review what you’ve already accomplished.

It’s easy to focus on the negatives – missed assignments, past due dates, etcetera. Therefore, recalling what you have achieved is important. Remind yourself of what you have already accomplished. You are an adult college student pursuing your degree. You can do this!

8. Connect with classmates for support.

Reach out and connect with your classmates. Chances are, they too are experiencing a mid-session slump. Support one another and offer encouragement to keep pushing forward. You may discover that talking with people who are going through the same things reduces your stress and inspires you to finish what you started.

9. Ask for help.

If you’re struggling, take a moment and contact your student advisor or instructor and fill him or her in on your situation. They are available and are there to encourage you. Suggestions from someone on the outside may help to point you in the right direction concerning assignments or identify areas of weakness that can be improved by a change in routine.

10. Remember why you’re here.

When you’re struggling and are having a hard time focusing, recall why you went back to school. Your goal is to earn your degree and advance your education. Every course and assignment completed puts you one step closer to achieving that goal.

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