Finals and the Allure of Summer

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

This week, I will be turning in final projects, studying, and taking final exams. As I have begun to realize that the end of the year is almost here, I am starting to get excited for the summer.

It has raised an interesting question in my mind. Should I focus on the summer to motivate me to finish my projects and studying, or should I avoid thinking about summer because it will distract me?

I can see both sides of it. It seems like thinking about the future of enjoyment of summer could lift my spirits in the midst of a long day at the library and help me get to the finish line. On the other hand, I could also imagine falling deeper into procrastination because I would more acutely feel the monotony of end of the semester studying.

One Possible Answer

My roommate and I briefly discussed this predicament one night and came to the conclusion that both scenarios are possible. We agreed that one must be intentional and selectively use the allure of summer as motivation. 

To accomplish this end, one can use summer as motivation to get started on studying for the day or to complete the last stage of a group project. However, it is dangerous to let your mind wander when you are in the middle of a project. If you begin to think about future plans, the current moment loses its importance, and it is hard to regain focus.

Good luck to everyone taking finals! Take a moment to reflect on the things you are looking forward to and find ways to use them as motivation, not distractions.