The start of second semester usually means one thing for students: it signals one closer to summer break. With the thoughts of summer vacation in the students’ minds, it is hard to focus on the new semester that they still have to finish. After first semester finals are over and its time to go back to school to start the new semester, many students at WCHS find it difficult to find motivation to do well in the second semester. Sarah Slemons, who is now almost a second semester senior, mentions that “it’s so hard for me to find motivation to finish my senior year 
strong. I’ve already been accepted into the college that I plan on attending next year. so I don’t have to focus on getting exceptional grades.” Sarah’s lack of motivation as a senior is commonly known as “senioritis” and many seniors at WCHS find it hard to keep the motivation going. Even the freshman class is experiencing a lack of motivation at the end of the semester. Freshman Tyler Brown comments “I find it hard to get motivation for school sometimes. The work can be so tedious and repetitive, and sometimes I just don’t feel like doing it!”
strong. I’ve already been accepted into the college that I plan on attending next year. so I don’t have to focus on getting exceptional grades.” Sarah’s lack of motivation as a senior is commonly known as “senioritis” and many seniors at WCHS find it hard to keep the motivation going. Even the freshman class is experiencing a lack of motivation at the end of the semester. Freshman Tyler Brown comments “I find it hard to get motivation for school sometimes. The work can be so tedious and repetitive, and sometimes I just don’t feel like doing it!” In order to stay motivated for the entire semester, it is important to have good study habits for doing assignments at home. Finding motivation for work is the key to getting good grades and having a good attitude for the entire semester.
To stay motivated for school, it is important to plan ahead how much time you will be studying for the night. It is also vital, if you have a study hall, to use it to your advantage and do as much work as you can in your study hall. That way, you are not wasting your time and you don’t have as much work to do at home. A helpful way to get motivated is to reward yourself for finishing your dreadful homework. Any activity that you enjoy the most or anything that would make you feel accomplished can be used as a reward. It is also very important that you give yourself your reward after you complete your homework. Also, wait to talk to a friend after both of you have completed your assignments.
Breaks are also very important to have while you study. The longer you study at once, the harder it is for your brain to absorb information. Breaks are also helpful because when you come back to your homework, you have a fresh new start to your assignments. When studying for a long time, muscles tend to cramp up and get really tight. That’s why it’s a good idea to get up and walk around when you’re taking a break from studying. 
Sometimes it’s a good idea to think of the consequences neglecting to study. Think about the consequences of not studying for that huge test you have the next day, or failing to turn in an assignment, and how it would lower your grade. Now is the time to be thinking about how to change your study habits and stay motivated for the new semester.
