4 Ways to Avoid Feeling Stuck in Routine

In life it can be easy to feel stuck or static. With us being about halfway through first semester, it is completely normal to have fallen into a very steady routine. I know for me personally, whenever I get into a routine, it can sometimes cause me to feel very stagnant. If you are anything like me, these feelings can sort of derail your momentum to finish off the semester strong. To counteract this feeling, I would like to suggest 4 ways to stay motivated, feel fresh, and handle burnout as we tackle midterms and the rest of the semester.

1. Change Your Appearance/ Dress Confidently

While changing your appearance may not necessarily help you study for midterms, this can be a nice energy/confidence boost. There is a saying that goes "look good, feel good". This actually holds a lot of truth. There are studies that show that looking good and feeling confident can increase self-esteem, mental health, and motivation. Whether it is putting on a new pair of shoes, wearing your favorite sweater, or even dying your hair, the feeling of being put together can help with feeling static, and even give you a new burst of energy to get some work done.

2. Don't be a Creature of Habit

A huge factor of feeling static is constanly doing the same thing over and over again. This can cause a person to lose excitement to do things that need to be done which can lead to procrastination. My advice is: switch it up. I know this is easier said than done, but it doesn't have to be a super big change right away. Being a creature of habit means that you do the same routine everyday with little to no variations. I suggest, choose a small area of your day-to-day routine and change it. For example, if you usually get your work done in your room, try going to the library or even head over to a cafe and order a coffee while you study. Another example would be giving yourself a little extra time to rest before starting your next assignment, or something small like taking a different route to get to your classes. This can help you avoid burnout, and maintain a little bit of excitement when it comes to the standard day-to-day activities.

3. Find Time for Yourself

Between the daily hours of lecture, and the time spent studying or doing homework, it can be hard to truly take a minute and relax. A great way to give your mind a reset is exercise. This will look different for everybody. For some, maybe heading to the gym and working out for an hour is a great way to clear their head and relax, while for others a 5 minute walk can have the same effect. Whatever the case may be for you, getting your body moving and your blood flowing is good for mental health which can give you new energy and focus to tackle more assignments.

4. Make Lists

I find that making a list of all the things I need to get done within a week not only keeps me focused, but it feels good when I complete something and get to cross it off my list. Keeping a to-do list also helps with organization which will be very useful to keep track of all the assignments and exams coming up. This is a good way to keep you motivated, and you can even reward yourself for completing your list at the end of the week.

These are just 4 simple ways you can spice up your weekly routine and help yourself navigate midterms and burnout. You can branch out from these ideas and find other ways that work best for you and your schedule. The main takeaway is that while it is good to have a routine, we should not let this routine consume us. It is important to prioritize school while still finding ways to live in the moment and enjoy ourselves. With this new mindset I hope you can continue to romanticize studying and I wish you all good luck on your midterms!