The Mid-Semester Slump: Motivation Makeover

It’s the oldest story ever told. A new semester starts, and you tell yourself, “This year will be different,” that this is your opportunity for a fresh start. This is going to be the best semester in your academic career. But as that seven-week halfway mark hits, that dreaded midterm slump comes knocking. For many of us young and aspiring academics, this point of the semester is defined by endless work, decreasing enthusiasm, and overall fatigue. But why does this happen? What is the reason for this all-too-common drop in motivation? And more importantly, how can we beat it? 

Why did I Ever Think I Could Ace This Class?  

First, let’s try to understand why we feel this slump. We all have that ‘go-getter’ attitude at the beginning of a semester. We’re ready to set goals, ace our classes, and stand out. Think of it like a New Year’s resolution. In January, people start to go to the gym more, eat healthier, and take better care of themselves. This is known in psychology as the Fresh Start Effect. When we start progressing towards a goal, we have an overflow of motivation. That same phenomenon happens in our brains when we start a new semester. However, just like those doomed New Year’s resolutioners, we all inevitably experience something called “goal fatigue . ” When this phenomenon occurs, we feel drained at the very idea of those goals that we once set. Most experts believe that goal fatigue occurs when we set too many goals at once or when they begin to pile up on each other. Sound familiar? That’s right, goal fatigue hits- and hits hard- around this time of year, when people set the most new objectives for themselves.

Same Old, Same Old…Are We Done Yet? 

Another reason that we feel so burnt out in the mid-semester stretch is the simple fact that we’re used to it. Picture this: it’s August. You have new courses, a new schedule, new things to learn, and people to meet. “I can’t wait to learn about History of Political Theory!” you say, envisioning a fun and thought-provoking class. You’re in a new environment, doing something you’ve never done before. Unfortunately for us, we can only ride that high for so long. Eventually, we get used to our new routine, and consequently, our excitement wears off. Once that novelty fades away, the motivation to excel academically is completely gone. By October, you know all the people in your classes. You know the professor. The once new routine is now on autopilot. It quickly turns into dreading the next reading, the next paper, the next test.. These classes, this routine- it’s gotten old. 

How WHC Got Her Groove Back  

If you think you have to wait until the new semester to pull yourself out of this slump, you’re wrong. There are many ways to kick that slump to the curb and get yourself going again. Here are some ideas to get your groove back: 

Shake it Up!

We’ve already covered that the excitement of a new routine fades quickly. But just like how you can redecorate your room without changing it completely, you can redecorate your daily routine to hold on to that new and excited feeling. You can alter small things in your everyday life to get your motivation back. Maybe study somewhere new, such as a cute coffee shop or the beach. You could change up your study playlist to get some new inspiration for that paper you’ve been avoiding or  invite someone new from one of your classes to study with you. These small changes may seem insignificant, but they can generate happiness about your academic responsibilities or provide you with a new perspective. You can hold on to that feeling of novelty long into the semester by trying one of these.

Kill Em’ With Kindness

This is a big one. As aspiring academics, we are harsh graders and even harsher critics. And one person usually bears the brunt of this: ourselves. It is extremely easy to tell yourself that you’re falling behind or that you’re not good enough. This is no way to speak to anyone who is feeling unmotivated, and it’s certainly no way to speak to yourself. And most importantly, it does nothing to make us feel good. Instead, this stream of thought just leads to imposter syndrome and self-doubt. Instead of discouraging yourself by using destructive rhetoric, cut yourself a bit of slack. Take a break and try some self-care. Watch your favorite movie, or do something else that relaxes you.  Maybe acknowledging that you aren’t alone or falling behind is a key factor in pushing through and rediscovering your motivation. 

 

So now the choice is yours. Will you succumb to the slump, or will you do what you need to do to get your groove back?