With the month of November swiftly passing by and Thanksgiving inching closer and closer, it has become increasingly difficult to stay motivated and focused on academics. Tasks that used to take minutes to hours now take several hours, if they are even completed in one sitting. Many resort to napping the day away instead of buckling down and doing work with only the upcoming holiday season in mind. I know I am guilty of this and I am sure that I am not the only one.

Whether you can relate or not, I know that most of us have had one of those days where we just cannot get ourselves to be productive. This lack of productiveness can easily hurt your grades as you become too tired, and/or stressed and overwhelmed to focus on work. To beat this mid-semester slump, here are some ways to stay motivated.

1. Prioritize Your Work

Actively remind yourself to put your work before things such as snacks and naps. You may not be happy about this at first but in the end you will be happy to have your work out of the way.

2. Reward Yourself

Give yourself incentives to motivate you to get your work done. Whether it be a Saturday with the boys, brunch with the girls on Sunday or even just curling in bed to watch Netflix, look forward to the little things that you enjoy.

3. Make A Schedule

Figure out the best times for you to sit down and get work done. Plan out increments in which you believe that can get all of your school work over with!

4. Reduce Distractions

We have all been guilty of becoming distracted while working at one point or another. Put the phone away, turn off the TV and computer and find a nice, quiet space to work in. Reduce all of the possible distractions that you can control.

5. Develop Study Habits

Figure out your own personal preferences when it comes to test preparation and completing homework assignments. Develop study habits that work well for you and that will keep you on task.

6. Seek Help If Needed

Whether you're stuck in a rut, need a spark of inspiration or just need some advice, it is always okay to ask for help. There are faculty at your school, friends and family members who will be more than eager to help you out!

7. Find Time to Relax

Yes, it is very important to get your work done but it is also important to be well rested. Without resting and relaxing, it will be very difficult to stay motivated and eager to work. When you have no work to be done or complete what you needed to do, be sure to do something you find relaxing as a refresher to keep yourself going!

8. Make Sure You Go to Class

As the semester is rapidly coming to a close, finals and big assignments are in your future. Be sure to go to class to keep up with the information that you need to know.

9. Surround Yourself With Positive Influences

As good as it is to have friends who are fun, it is also important to surround ourselves with those that motivate us and keep us going. That friend that gets to look forward to go out should also make you feel confident in your achievements.