Starting a new semester is never easy and remaining positive until the end is hard. Sometimes we are hopeful during the first few weeks and then we start to slowly give up. However, it is possible to stay positive throughout the remainder of the semester.

To start and end the semester with a positive mindset, try having a day planner. Having a day planner will help you stay organized with everything you need to do. Write down assignment due dates and test dates and schedule in when to study and when to go to the library. Purchase a day planner so it’s easy to bring everywhere. When you feel organized and have everything written down, it helps you to remain positive, especially when you accomplish everything on your list.

Listening to music helps put me in a good mood. Break up your music into different playlists. Have a playlist that puts you in a happy mood, one that keeps you motivated, one to keep your energy up, and one to help you relax. Music plays a huge role in my life and there’s always a song for every single one of your moods. Make sure you have positive music in your playlist in order to keep you going throughout the entire semester.

Leave notes and cards on your desk, backpack, and wall with motivational quotes. You can even hide them in your books so that when you’re studying and feel stressed, you’ll accidentally stumble upon one of your motivational cards and you’ll start to feel better. I love reading motivational cards and quotes because they help me feel as though I can accomplish anything. Have a quote hung up on your wall and throw a few cards in your books, notebooks, and backpack so that you can stumble upon them at any time of day.

I usually like to purchase school supplies that are bright and colorful. It’s true that color can sometimes depict your mood. If it’s snowing or raining outside, wear bright colors or have a bright yellow notebook to remind you that there is always sunshine during any time of day. Bright colors always make me happy and positive, so try having bright supplies to keep you motivated throughout the semester.

Finally, have a mood board and try to update it monthly. I have a new mood board each month filled with photos of my friends, vacations, quotes, goals, and things I’d love to do. These mood boards help me look forward to exciting things that are coming up, and they usually put me in a good mood. I like to put future vacations or planned vacations on my mood board so that I can have a countdown. Planning on going overseas after the semester? Include that on your mood board so that you can remind yourself of something to look forward to. When you do great on a test, you can let yourself know that your overseas trip is your reward. Also, if you do well on a test, put that test on your mood board so that you can stay motivated throughout the semester. Want to keep seeing A’s on your mood boards? Continue to do well so that all you see on your mood boards are A’s!

These are the things I normally do to keep me motivated throughout the semester. Hopefully they will help you stay motivated. What other tips do you have to keep yourself motivated?