It can sometimes be difficult to stay motivated when you’re exhausted from work and school. If you’re coming home from a full day of work only to remember that you have a paper due in 2 days, that’s tough.
In this post, I’ll share 5 of the things that help me keep going, that I believe will help you too!
Reduce How Much Mental Power You’re Using
My favorite way to do this is to make hard decisions ahead of time. For example: What am I going to eat when I get home? I made a stew for the week on Sunday that will hold me over. That’s one less thing I have to worry about, therefore leaving more mental power for college homework.
Another way to do this is to reduce how much effort you’re putting into each aspect of your life. Since you’re exhausted right now, the goal is just to get by until you can recover your energy. This may mean reducing your output at work for a week or two if possible. You might have to settle for a B or C on a college assignment.
I find that when I’m exhausted, I find greater motivation when I just complete something…even if it’s way less than perfect.
Take a break
If you really need to, take a day off work to either rest or catch up on school work. If that’s not possible, request an extension from your professor on an assignment and ask what they can do to accommodate.
If you’re exhausted in the form of burnout, that’s a little more serious. I still recommend the above steps, however I also recommend the following:
One weird thing I’ve found is that hanging out with people I trust helps to recharge my batteries. That is what helped me get through my most recent onset of burnout.
In other words…calling your mom will help you stay motivated as a working student.
Remember your Why
Why was working while going to school worth it to you in the first place? Is it for a potential salary increase? Do you want to change careers? Are you looking for more stability for your family?
Whatever it is, remind yourself. Write it down if you have to.
Do Something Creative
Taking a day off from school and working on something music or crafts related helps to recharge me as well. Do you play an instrument? Enjoy art? Maybe building Legos? Find something to do to get your mind off of the grind.
Reward yourself
If you’ve been doing this for a while and haven’t seen any type of reward or return on investment yet, it can be discouraging.
When I feel this way, I like to get ice cream, give myself permission to go on a nice drive, or reward myself with a reasonably priced present!
Sometimes you gotta let your brain know that you recognize how hard it’s working, and give it a treat.
Conclusion
If you’re struggling with demotivation while being a working student, know that it’s normal!
Take a break if you need to, reward yourself, and try a creative project to help you recharge your batteries.
I hope this post helps you to find strength while working towards your future in this season.