It's December, The temperature is getting a little cooler and it is finally socially acceptable to wear Christmas sweaters out in public. But, December also means that the semester is ending which means more stress, more exhaustion, and more reasons to contemplate dropping out. But have no fear friends, our good friend from Pawnee, Indiana is here to help. Because no one knows more about hard work and exhaustion than Leslie Knope.
1. Work Hard, Play Harder.
Leslie, the overachiever herself, knows how to get work done. Buckle down, get that work done. Because you can absolutely handle it! I believe in you!
2. (wo)man up
Sometimes you just gotta listen to some kickass tunes, punch the air, dance, and get to work. If Leslie can psych herself up like this than so can you. Get to it friends.
3. If you have to hang pictures of yourself looking awesome all over you room, but all means go for it.
Any type of motivation is good motivation, your selfies deserve to see the light of day fam.
4. Punch Back
Look, there is nothing wrong with fighting the hardest to get what you want. You are an incredible person who is going to ace every single one of your finals. Go big! You've got this! Plus, once you go big, you literally get to go home and eat Christmas cookies. Nothing is better than that!
5. Harry Potter is always a good way to motivate yourself
Look, these next couple of weeks might be a little disorienting. You might feel like you have no idea what you are doing. That's okay. Calling the Chamber of Commerce the Chamber of Secrets is not the end of the world. What matters is that you get out there and deliver a bomb presentation that people are going to remember for weeks.
6. Always know you can go bigger
Double check that essay that you just wrote, if there's not at least one place where you could include *drop the mic* you're not thinking big enough. Buckle down friend, explosions are only the beginning.
7. Reach out to someone that knows how to make you feel special
Leslie's relationship with Ann is pretty timeless. Everyone loves the two of them. When you're feeling down, reach out to your Leslie. She (or he) will always know what to say. I promise. And before you know it, you majestic starfish you, that essay will be done and you will be acing all of your classes.
8. You may get a little crazy in these next couple of weeks... that is probably okay.
Everyone is stressing out and probably crying. It is a high stakes environment. But, it is also easy to overcome. Just know that everyone copes with stress in different ways and what you may feel is annoying is possibly someone's hype routine. Just take a couple deep breaths and know that you are a badass who is going to finish with a 4.0 this semester.
9. Look... that Math final? Just take it and walk away. Never look back.
I know... you have to take math no matter who you are. But, it really is irrelevant later on down the road. Just go in there, ace the test, and forget anything you ever knew about the quadratic formula. I promise it will be over before you know it.
10. Remain super chill all the time.
These next couple of weeks will be done before you know it. Just keep breathing and maybe limit yourself to only one freak out a day.
11. When words don't work, feel free to dance it out
Words are not always the most motivational. Sometimes moving your body is the best way to get motivated. Plus, with moves as sick at Leslie's you can never go wrong.
12. Power through
Even when you feel like you can't go any further, just remember that Leslie is rooting for you and that is really all that matters. You're going to do great.
These next few weeks might be really exhausting and perhaps even killer, but they will end and you will be better for it. I promise.
