They call it FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out. And when you’re in school, FOMO is never stronger than during summertime. It seems like the whole world is on vacation, and it can be tough to choose between schoolwork and hanging with friends. But looks can be deceiving, and it’s important to remember why you’re in school to begin with. Taking a step back to remind yourself of what your top priorities are can help you find the willpower to keep moving forward. Consider these important aspects of staying strong in your studies this summer.
1. Earn respect by saying no.
When someone is on a diet and they choose not to eat cheesecake, people respect that person for their self-control. And the healthier that person gets, the more people admire them for maintaining their diet. The same goes for school. You might have friends who pressure you to skip your schoolwork and join them for a summertime activity, but the truth is people will also respect you for saying no if your reason is to provide a better life for yourself and your family. That respect increases when you can finally declare that you’re graduating, and that you’re starting a new job. So remember, you might be missing out on a little this summer, but soon your summer vacations will be better than ever.
“I’m doing what I know I should do now, so I can do what I’d like to do later.”
2. Just skip the small stuff.
You don’t have to sacrifice your whole summer. Just look for smaller chunks of time to do schoolwork. Staying strong in your studies during the summer may mean you need to skip a TV show, spend less time playing that addictive game on your phone, or stay home to study instead of going to that movie you really didn’t want to see anyway. Maybe you can join your friends at your favorite spot an hour or two later. (You know, it is fashionable to be late.)
3. Make schoolwork a priority.
By making the smaller sacrifices, you can get your schoolwork done and still enjoy the most exciting summer outings. Just make sure you keep your schoolwork a high priority. Put it first. Before you hit the beach, make sure your quiz or report is done, or maybe you can take it with you. Before you go out on the town with your friends, finish that reading assignment. You can also try setting standards for yourself. Maybe you only allow yourself to go out on a weeknight if you earned an A on that last big assignment.
4. Envision next summer.
For many of you, this time next year, you’ll be graduated. That is, if you keep making progress towards graduating on time. Just think about how awesome summertime will be next year. Whether you’re interviewing or actually starting work in your new career, it will be very exciting. You’ll probably be wearing a silly grin because you’re so proud to be done with school. And you should be. Finishing school and starting a new career is a huge accomplishment. However, if you take a break or slow down this summer, you might still be in school next summer. So keep your eyes on the prize and focus on your future. It starts with saying yes to schoolwork this summer so you can graduate on time.
Remember this quote to help you stay motivated when you're experiencing FOMO:
“I’m doing what I know I should do now, so I can do what I’d like to do later.”
See our related post “Summer Challenges: Being a Student with Kids.”
Learn how Ultimate Student Services help UMA students keep moving toward graduation. Curious about UMA's online healthcare degrees or on-campus healthcare programs? Visit UltimateMedical.edu.