Motivating Yourself in the Final Stretch of Senior Year

[Physics_UG]

So it is my senior year of university (double major in EE and physics) and I think I have a severe case of senioritis. I am kinda slipping in my shakespeare class and I didn't get my last quantum mechanics homework set done in time. I also kinda slipped up on my last qm test. I just didn't study hard enough. Also, I am fearing I won't be able to finish my senior design project in time. I have about 6 weeks to finish this thing and I have an impending sense of doom.

I am on spring break right now and I told myself that I would get my shakespeare midterm paper done by Tuesday so I would have wed, thurs, and friday to work on my senior project. Then I would have the weekend to work on my QM homework. Well, lo and behold, I didn't even start that shakespeare paper and I didn't do much work at all over break. Sure I have procrastinated before, but I don't think it has ever been this bad.

I also have this grad school stuff on my mind. I have received an offer with full funding and another acceptance where full funding is likely. I am still waiting on two schools. Maybe having this on my mind if distracting me from doing my work.

It could also be that I am intimidated by this shakespeare paper. I can't seem to get myself focused on this subject because I just don't have the level of interest necessary.

I guess my question is, how do I get myself motivated while in this slump? I am really digging myself into a hole here.

 

[Math Is Hard]

It could also be that I am intimidated by this shakespeare paper. I can't seem to get myself focused on this subject because I just don't have the level of interest necessary.

I guess my question is, how do I get myself motivated while in this slump? I am really digging myself into a hole here.

I recently went through this with a paper I had to write. To get through this, I started by setting little goals for it like, "by tonight, I will have an outline", "by tomorrow night, I will have parts one and two of my outline fleshed out". If you can just set little goals it helps, because then you don't end up in the situation of "oh, no, the entire freakin' paper is due tomorrow and I have done nothing!" There's really something to that old saying of "once begun, it's half done!"

Seriously, do your outline and get some stakes in the ground. It will help you roll into the rest of the work. Besides, a strong paper is one that builds on a coherent structure, so your most important job is to get the framework in place first.

 

[cristo]

Senior means you're in your last year, right? If so, it seems a bit strange that, in the final year of an electrical engineering and physics degree you're writing Shakespeare essays!

Still, the feelings you're having are quite normal. I think everyone gets like this at least once in their undergrad career. Follow MIH's advice: it's important to set goals that you are actually capable of keeping. I wouldn't worry about the grad school applications: if you've been accepted to at least two, then there is no need to worry about whether the others are going to accept you or not; at least you should not worry so much that it affects your studies. This may also be a way to motivate yourself; realize that this is the final stretch, and that after this year your undergrad studies will be complete and then you can go onto grad school. Also, it's important to keep in mind that you've come a long way and are so close to obtaining your degree that it's not worth slipping now.

 

[Physics_UG]

Senior means you're in your last year, right? If so, it seems a bit strange that, in the final year of an electrical engineering and physics degree you're writing Shakespeare essays!

Still, the feelings you're having are quite normal. I think everyone gets like this at least once in their undergrad career. Follow MIH's advice: it's important to set goals that you are actually capable of keeping. I wouldn't worry about the grad school applications: if you've been accepted to at least two, then there is no need to worry about whether the others are going to accept you or not; at least you should not worry so much that it affects your studies. This may also be a way to motivate yourself; realize that this is the final stretch, and that after this year your undergrad studies will be complete and then you can go onto grad school. Also, it's important to keep in mind that you've come a long way and are so close to obtaining your degree that it's not worth slipping now.

Thanks MIH and Cristo. You have given sound advice. I am taking the shakespeare class as my senior literature elective. I just need to get my act together.