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End-of-Semester Slump: How to Get Your Motivation Back

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Published: March 03, 2025

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It’s that time of the semester where everything feels just a little overwhelming. Everyone experiences the end-of-semester slump differently, but here are a few ways to help you regain your motivation and finish the semester strong.

Take a Mental Health Day

Just like your body needs a rest day from the gym, your mind needs a break from responsibilities. Taking a mental health day isn’t something to feel guilty about, it can actually be the reset you need to push through the rest of the semester.

Whether that means missing a day of class or stepping away from work, prioritizing your well-being is important. Sleep in, watch that show on your list, eat your favorite foods, whatever helps you recharge. Taking a day to destress might feel counterintuitive when your to-do list is piling up, but you’ll thank yourself later.

Clean Your Space

A cluttered environment can lead to a cluttered mind. Whether you clean on your mental health day or set aside time during the week, tidying up your space can make a bigger difference than you think. Make it fun,create a checklist, turn on your favorite playlist, or set a timer and challenge yourself to finish in a certain amount of time. Just don’t skip washing your bedding... seriously, do it.

This is one of the most overlooked tasks for college students, but trust me, fresh sheets can make you feel brand new. It might not be a permanent fix for your end-of-semester slump, but it can help give your mind a break from coursework while still being productive.

Find Something That Gets You Excited

As the days get colder and darker, and exams pile up, it’s easy to feel drained. That’s why finding something small to look forward to can help pull you out of your slump.

During my freshman year, I got into podcasts, I’d listen to them while walking to class, and I’d actually look forward to each new episode. Maybe podcasts aren’t your thing, but there’s plenty to get excited about.

Try out a new seasonal drink at the on-campus Starbucks, find a new favorite artist to listen to, start a weekly meet-up with friends for lunch, or even get hyped about breaking out your favorite hoodie. Having something, no matter how small, to bring you joy can create a ripple effect and help boost your overall mood!

Take It One Step at a Time

Orange Juice GIF by Emily Redfearn

At the end of the day, the best way to get through the end-of-semester slump is to recognize that it’s normal (and that it’ll likely happen again next semester, too). The key is learning how to manage it when it does.

Take a breath. Take a break. And take it all one step at a time!

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