How to Stay Motivated During Tough Semesters!

Greta Marino

Nursing school burnout is a real thing! It's true that there are a lot of assignments and exams to study for, but it is also realistic to avoid burnout if you approach a difficult semester in the right way. Here are some tips that I use to stay motivated during tough semesters:

Stay Organized

I like to start every semester out by reading through all my syllabi and keeping track of my assignments and exams for the semester. This way, I can get a good idea of which weeks will be busier and when I should front-load my work. For assignments, I like to use a free app called Notion, but I also have friends that use color-coded spreadsheets or written planners. For exams, I put them in my google calendar (also color-coded) to get a bigger-picture view.

Take time to de-stress

When school gets overwhelming, it is crucial to take some time to relax. I like to devote one day a week (or a half-day, if it's a very busy week) to take a break from school. This gives me time to reset and start the next week strong. Some things I like to do to de-stress are spend time with friends, spend time outside, and priotitize self-care (sleep, eat well, exercise). I also like practicing gratitude and remembering how lucky I am to be where I am in life right now!

Think about your "why" in nursing

Every nursing student went into the profession for a reason! Nursing is a very impactful career, and many students have a meaningful reason for why they chose to pursue it. Although school can be overwhelming, it is important to remember your "why" and that being a good nurse is not always about your grades, but your character and how you care for your patients :)

I know sometimes it feels like you are always hearing tips like these, but I hope you can really internalize them and make them part of your routine. They are very important, because nursing is a difficult profession, and many nurses experience burnout after entering it. If you can form life-long habits now, it will make you a healthier nurse and less prone to burnout!