With the warm days turning into cold, dreary nights, the homework assignments piling up and the other endless life struggles being thrown our way, it can be insanely hard to stay motivated as college students. Most times we just feel like loafing in bed all day instead of getting up and handling our responsibilities. While it is completely normal to feel this way, we constantly have to keep ourselves in check. Here are a few of the ways to stay motivated as a college student.

1. Remind yourself what you are doing this for.

School is usually one of the first aspects of life in which motivation gets lost. We stop putting 100% effort into papers, we cram for exams rather than space the studying out and we even skip class. Right now, I am in one of the most difficult courses I have ever taken, anatomy. It takes everything in me to actually do my work for the class instead of simply withdrawing. Whenever I start to feel unmotivated to study, I remind myself why I need this class. In the future, I want to be a nurse and I know that a good, well-prepared nurse would be knowledgeable of human anatomy. Sometimes I take trips to the hospital and watch the nurses and doctors scurry about or I will imagine myself as a patient who direly needs a nurse. If you ever find yourself struggling to commit to your duties, take a second to look at the bigger picture. I am positive that the moment of reflection will motivate you.

2. Take breaks when you need it.

Life should not be all work and no play. Discipline yourself, but don't deprive yourself. If you are tired during the day, take a little snooze! If you feel overworked, take the Sunday to relax and spend time with friends. Being “on” all the time in order to complete a goal will only make you feel animosity towards whatever it is you are trying to do. You will start to see it as a form of punishment and it should never be that way.

3. Set goals for yourself.

What is something you would like to have accomplished in the next three months? Six? Nine, or even 12? Setting goals is one of the easiest ways to stay motivated because it gives you something to look forward to. Short-term goals work best because each time you check a goal off your to-do list, you see that your actions truly do pay off. It gives you confidence that your long-term goals will come true as well. Semester, yearly, and five-year goals work extremely well for college students!

4. Look for help when you need it.

Staying on track is even harder for people who feel as if they do not have a support system. Let your friends and family know about your goals so that they can keep you motivated. Let them know whenever you feel as if you are struggling with maintaining your promises to yourself. Along with your support system, seek help outside of your immediate circle as well. If schoolwork is what you are having trouble staying motivated with, get a tutor for the hard class you are experiencing difficulty in. Fulfilling your duties is a lot easier when you have people by your side.

5. Have fun with it!

Reward systems are one of the best ways to keep motivation up. If you got an A on that test you have been studying so hard on, treat yourself to ice cream or a night out with your friends. Putting fun back into work will make it so much easier to stay on track.

Remember, no one has ever regretted working hard for something they wanted. It is difficult to stay on track with so many distractions surrounding us, but it is doable. Take it one day at a time, treat yourself, and never forget what it is you are doing this for.