You’ve unpacked, found your way around campus, and you’ve probably stopped using Google Maps to get to lectures (mostly 😉). But as the excitement of Freshers fades and deadlines creep in, that mid-semester slump can hit hard.

Here’s how to get your spark back, no toxic positivity required.

Reconnect with why you’re here

Between new friends, group chats and lectures, it’s easy to lose sight of what you actually came here for. Take a minute to reset your focus, maybe it’s getting that degree, maybe it’s learning to live independently, maybe it’s just figuring life out.

Grab a notebook, or even just a note on your phone. Just somewhere you can jot down when you need a reminder. When things get heavy, coming back to your ‘why’ can help everything else feel lighter

Change your scenery

If your room’s starting to feel like a cave, get out of it. A study session in a café, a library change-up, or even just switching your desk around can give your brain a fresh start. Sometimes it’s not burnout, it’s boredom.

Do one small thing well

When your to-do list feels endless, stop trying to tackle everything. Pick one thin, an essay plan, a laundry pile, a phone call home… and nail it! Momentum builds fast once you’ve done something.

Talk it out

Everyone hits a wall from time to time (even if their Instagram says otherwise). If you’re feeling a little off, talk to your flatmates, a course mate, or our site team. Chances are, they’ve been there too.

Remember: rest isn’t lazy

You can’t pour from an empty cup (or a half-finished energy drink!). Rest properly, not doom-scrolling in bed, but real downtime. Sleep, fresh air, a night in. It all counts.

It’s normal to lose motivation partway through term. But that’s why your ‘why’ is important. Come back to it and remind yourself what you want to achieve. You will find your rhythm again.