It’s been a long school year. Since the COVID-19 outbreak back in March 2020, schools nationwide resorted to virtual learning as the only safe option for social distancing and learning. Everybody has different styles of learning. For some, virtual learning is easier and better than in person learning but for others it’s the exact opposite. It can be mentally draining to stare at a computer screen for hours everyday. It makes it easy to lose focus and it creates a lack of drive. As the 2020-2021 school year slowly comes to a wrap, ending this virtual school year on a strong note should be the standard. 

Have you been feeling a little overwhelmed or stressed out from this school year? 

Just follow these 5 tips on how to stay motivated to finish this school year on a great note: 

1. Set Goals – A great way to stay motivated by the end of the school year is by setting a goal for yourself. Ask yourself, “What do I want to accomplish by the end of this school year?” Is it good grades? A certain GPA average? Or maybe there’s something you want to learn more about by the end of the year. Don’t hesitate to set a goal for yourself. Aim high! Doing this will motivate you into accomplishing it. Having a goal sets a drive, which will help you in the long run. The key to improvement is by having a drive. 
2. Surround Yourself With Support – Another great way to stay motivated is by making sure you surround yourself with people who push you to do your best. Social support is very important if you want to get by. The people you surround yourself with will influence how you feel, think and act. By having friends, families, counselors, and teachers that support and push you, it’ll help motivate you into ending this school year on a positive note. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. 
3. Stay Organized – The third tip to staying motivated by the end of the year is to try your hardest to stay organized. There are different ways to stay organized. Create an agenda of some sort to help organize your assignments. Doing this will help build the momentum you need to finish the school year. When unorganized, it’ll often lead to a decrease in productivity. It’ll only build more stress and cause people to lose motivation. Make sure you organize your schoolwork. 
4. Time Management – My fourth tip is to work more on your time management. Create a schedule or set reminders on your phone to remind yourself to finish certain assignments before certain due dates. Anytime you study or work on an assignment, make sure to avoid any distractions. Self discipline is vital for getting work done. When you begin to manage your time, it’ll help you stay motivated because you won’t have to stress about multiple missing assignments. This is important to keep in mind when you want to manage your time. 

Mental Health First – My fifth and final tip to staying motivated by the end of the school year is to put mental health first. Being behind a laptop for hours everyday is absolutely draining. It’s easy to be unmotivated when you’re drained all the time. Don’t stress too hard about school. Get plenty of sleep, go outside, socialize, anything to get your mind off of stressful school work. Make sure you’re in the right state of mind. Mental health is the number one priority to guarantee a positive ending to a long, stressful year. Online schooling has drained a lot of us, but it’s important to keep your head up and move forward. As we’re approaching June, it’s the best time to make sure to complete all your goals by the end of the school year.