With the last few weeks of school right around the corner and finals fast approaching, it can be overwhelming for students to stay on top of their assignments. It is important that students prioritize their studies while still keeping a balance with things that relax and make them happy. This can be difficult to manage with students taking at least seven classes, to maintain good grades and attendance.
Burn-out is extremely common at this point in the year and students should be open with their friends and family about how they are feeling.
“It is super important to give yourself time to relax and focus on things you enjoy to keep yourself motivated,” junior Lauren Tyler stated.
Tyler dedicates time to her hobbies to take her mind off of her stressful workload. She also spends time with her friends and family.
“Being around people I love can take the stress off a little bit when it comes to school,” Tyler said.
Other students need a little extra help keeping up their motivation to finish out the year strong. This can assist students in keeping their spirits up during a hard time or low morale.
“When spirits are low it can be difficult to feel an urge to complete my work,” junior Emma Ryan claimed.
Being motivated is the cornerstone for success and with low energy around the school from the stress of other students, some students can feel discouraged from going the extra mile in their studies. Students suggest that more activities that are mental-health focused that already exist, such as the therapy dogs and the bake sale, should be pushed closer towards the end of the year.
“Having school activities and class events can make the end of the school year more fun and puts me in a better headspace to study for finals,” Ryan continued.
It is important to prioritize mental health in stressful academic situations. Motivation can only come when one is in a good headspace. This is something that is often considered by Holy Cross guidance counselor Julie Ritter.
“There are two types of motivation, intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation comes from a personal motivation to do something while extrinsic is influenced by external factors like money or validation,” Ritter said.
She suggests that students identify the difference between the two and analyze why they are feeling that way and how to feel more motivated intrinsically. This is a tip for all students throughout the year but is most relevant towards the end of the year with the stress of finals on top of existing academic burnout.
“Time management is key to staying motivated and it’s important to think holistically and go easy on yourself to avoid getting into a slump,” Ritter shared.