Around this time of year, students need to be extra diligent to complete and turn in their homework assignments. It can be difficult to stay focused with the cold weather, low motivation, and work piling up.
Hyunhu Na, a Senior here at Pleasant Valley, says, “Honestly, the main thing that motivates me are deadlines.” Finding inspiration to complete and turn in assignments around this time of year can be tough, but it is necessary. In an interview with Veronika, Hyunhu said that “taking a nap after coming home from school” can help motivate him, “or just spending some time relaxing helps to freshen up my mind and makes working much more tolerable.” When it comes to completing his assignments, Hyunhu sets goals for himself. “One goal I’ve had throughout high school is keeping A’s in all my classes. In practice, I focus on turning assignments in on time, and if I’m struggling with any subject I’ll invest more time to bring my grade up,” he explained. Hyunhu has had success in the past by going home and taking a 30-minute nap, then focusing on getting all his work done. “Another thing I found that helped was taking 5-minute breaks every 30 minutes,” he added.
Another Senior, Athena Agbuya, suggests that having a hot drink, like hot chocolate, and a small treat can help motivate her to complete her work. In an interview with Veronika, she said, “Since gloomy weather makes me feel sleepy and unmotivated, I always make sure that my desk is well lit!” Athena also uses rewards to stay motivated. She explained, “I plan a fun activity once I am done with my homework and studying, like playing a game on my phone or watching a TV show.” When it comes to setting goals, Athena says, “I make a to-do list of everything I have to do, and each thing on my list is a goal I have to achieve. As part of my goals, I also set a specific amount of time to complete each thing on my list.” Once she completes a task, she checks it off and considers it a goal accomplished, which helps her feel fulfilled. Athena also takes an hour to relax when she gets home from school, clearing her mind before starting her work. She said, “Afterward, I start with the easiest assignments to help ease myself into harder work. After an hour, I take a quick break, usually five to ten minutes. Then, I move on to harder assignments and studying.” This pattern helps Athena stay productive until all her work is done.
Autumn Riley, another Senior, says, “What motivates me to get my work done is thinking about how disappointed my future self would feel if I neglected putting my best effort into homework and exams during the last few weeks of the semester.” Autumn also uses her motivation to enjoy her breaks guilt-free. “I work hard while I am in school so that during Christmas break I feel that I have truly deserved to rest and relax.” When it comes to setting goals, Autumn creates daily and weekly goals to stay on track. She explained, “My daily goals include completing homework assignments that are due the next day and studying for exams and quizzes that I have in the near future. My weekly goals consist of completing larger projects such as essays, preparing for presentations, and studying for unit exams.” Autumn divides her workload into manageable tasks, which helps her stay focused and organized. She also saves assignments she enjoys for last, so she has something to look forward to. “To get organized, I first write down the tasks I need to do that day in my planner so I can be sure I complete all the assignments I need for the next day,” she said. Autumn notes that she usually avoids taking many breaks because it can be difficult for her to refocus afterward. “I usually do not take many breaks while doing homework and studying because it can be hard for me to get back on track if I let the break go for too long,” she added.
Around this time of year, completing and turning in quality schoolwork can feel very difficult, especially with finals approaching and assignments piling up. The gloomy weather can make students feel sluggish or unmotivated. However, these Seniors offer a wide variety of solid, reliable tips and strategies to help students stay focused and productive through the winter months.
