Finish Strong! A Guide to Maintaining Your End-of-Semester Grad School Motivation, Told in Dog Gifs

At this point in the semester, you’re overworked, underslept, and may even be losing your focus and motivation for your graduate studies.

We’ve got some tips to help you stay on track and soar through the finish line. And we’re using dog gifs, because science supports it!

Have patience

You’re sure to hit roadblocks in grad school, whether an experiment goes awry or you don’t get the feedback you were hoping for. But these difficulties aren’t a reflection of your worth as a person. Remember that it's okay to have bad days, and know that you can always ask for help when you need it. 

See how far you’ve come

Making it this far is no easy feat! Make a list of your accomplishments over the course of the semester. Even the smallest triumphs are a step in the direction of completing a graduate degree. 

Focus on what you enjoy

It can be easy to get caught up in endless to-do lists, so remind yourself of what is most rewarding or enjoyable about your graduate program. Is it chats with your favorite professor, working with clients, or simply learning new things? When you need a little extra motivation, try to prioritize what’s working.

Remember what you’re working towards

All your hard work is leading somewhere—think of the feeling of having your diploma in hand at graduation!

And if you need to bribe yourself with additional rewards along the way, do it. If promising yourself a TV binge, dessert, or video game session helps you get your work done, use it to your advantage.

Improve your concentration

Level up your time management in grad school by using the Pomodoro technique. Mark off your calendar and set up a structured, timed working session to help you get your work done.

Take a break

Breaks are an essential part of the Pomodoro technique, and for good reason. Taking a break can ultimately make you more efficient. So make time to get outside, check in with a friend, or mindfully sip another cup of coffee—no guilt required.

Hype yourself up

Sometimes good old-fashioned positivity can do the trick! When self-doubt creeps in, try replacing that thought with more empowering self-talk. We here at the Graduate School believe in you wholeheartedly, and you should too!

Keep moving forward

Make sure you have all your deadlines and assignments laid out, and break your work down into bite-sized pieces. Take it one day at a time, one step at a time and remember that even a little progress can go a long way.

Want to dig deeper into working with motivation and self care? Check out the replay of Dr. Emily Sandoz’s workshop, “Resourcing for Resilience.”