As winter break ends and the new semester rolls around the corner, a new enemy enters the playing field— the dreaded motivation slump. 

Motivation slumps occur when people become overwhelmed with keeping a balance between academic, social and personal life, and it can cause them to shut down. It becomes more difficult to stay on task with schoolwork, and spending time with loved ones seems borderline impossible. While it can be hard, it is possible to break a motivation slump with some of these quick tips to get you back on track for the start of the new semester.

Pick new study spots: Picking a new study spot acts as a reset for your brain. Changing locations gives your brain a slight break, which can lead to new ideas being formed.

Timer strategy: Utilizing a timer to section off the amount of work can also be helpful while in a study slump. A timer allotts a specific amount of time for each assignment and rewires you to focus on one specific task at. Having a specific deadline and a countdown can assist with completing work on time.

Take active breaks: Instead of taking a break and scrolling on your phone, active breaks refresh the body as well as the mind. It gets the blood pumping and creates a new stimulation for your brain to focus on. Some examples of this are physical activity, reading and trying new skills.

Be understanding: It is important to realize that many people will go through motivation slumps as they work. Taking a moment for yourself is a powerful tool that can help combat motivation slumps as well.