Thanksgiving is over. It's time to get back to schoolwork for a few weeks before Christmas break is finally here. I have papers, presentations, and exams coming up in all of my classes, and I'm sure that everyone else is facing the same thing. It's easy to get distracted at the thought of the upcoming holidays and not focus as much as we should, but now it's more important than ever to make sure we study and get all of our assignments done on time. Here are a few ways to stay motivated throughout these next couple of weeks.

1. Remember the Light at the End of the Tunnel

Just think about having no homework to do for an entire month. My favorite holiday in the entire year is Christmas, which is in less than a month. It's going to be so nice to spend time at home, relaxing and not worrying about doing any school work for a while. I'll get to spend time with my family, my friends, and my dogs. I'm so excited!

2. Make Lists and Stay Organized

I have about three different lists going right now. One has my schoolwork, one has my sorority stuff, and one has my Odyssey ideas. It really helps me feel like I have everything under control when I have everything written down. I also make very specific hourly plans for a day when I feel like I have way too much to do. Being organized really helps.

3. Take Breaks

Every now and then, your brain is going to need a break. That's fine. It's okay to take a few hours off of studying and watch some Netflix, go for a walk, or go get some food. It's okay to take breaks when you feel overwhelmed. I know that working for too long actually ends up feeling counterproductive to me.

4. Study with Friends

I absolutely love going to a common area and studying with my sorority sisters. It's my favorite thing to do during the day. The only thing is, I don't often get as much work done as I would if I worked alone. It's just more fun to talk and have fun than work. When everyone is actually working, it can be fun too. It's more fun just to have company than to study alone.

5. Take One Day at a Time

It's really easy to get overwhelmed when we think about everything that we have to do in these next few weeks. It would be easier to just do it one day at a time. As much as I like lists, it makes me feel stressed when I try to plan out too much at once. So, it's important to slow down, breathe, and just think about one day at a time.

The end of the semester is one of the most stressful times of the year. Remembering how close the holiday is, making lists, taking breaks, studying with friends, and thinking about taking it one day at a time, are a few ways to stay on top of your school work and not getting overwhelmed.