Smart to the Finish: How to Finish the School Year Strong and Crush Your Goals

You know that feeling when the days get longer, the sun gets warmer, and every part of you just wants to check out of school mode? That’s spring fever—and it’s real. Summer feels so close you can practically taste the popsicles. But hold on! Don’t let all your hard work go to waste in the final stretch. You’ve come too far to let up now, harness that momentum to stay motivated and crush your goals.

Here are our best tips—updated for this year! —to help students of all ages stay motivated and finish the school year proud.

1. HABITS > DISCIPLINE.

Willpower can be inconsistent—but habits are powerful. Create a realistic study plan that includes time blocked each day for studying.  Make this time non-negotiable.  Write your plan on a calendar and post it somewhere where you will see it each day. Set a phone alarm labeled “Study Time,” and use that time to tackle your plan. By committing to respond when you hear the alarm, you give the alarm the power to help you beat procrastination.  You will complete your tasks soon enough …

Then—the fun part—celebrate your follow-through. Every day you stick with it is a win worth acknowledging.  Success creates success.

2. AVOID OVERWHELM.

Feeling overwhelmed? Congrats! You’re human. Overwhelm usually shows up when we feel like we’ve lost control. But here’s the thing: you do have control. Start by identifying what’s stressing you out. Is it a pile-up of assignments? Not clear about what’s going to be tested on an exam?

Once you name the problem, make a plan. Break big tasks into manageable chunks, make a daily study schedule, and stick with it. Remember: the earlier you start, the less pressure you’ll feel later.

3. YOU DON’T NEED A STUDY GUIDE TO STUDY.

Study guides are helpful, sure—but don’t wait for one to start reviewing. Make your own study guide. Think like a detective: what patterns show-up in your teacher’s exams? What themes keep coming back in class? How does one unit connect to another?

Then revisit your notes and past assignments. Rewrite them in a new way (make a table, a graph, or illustrate your notes).  Quiz yourself. Make flashcards. Retake old tests with the answers covered.

The more you engage with the material, the more confident you’ll feel when it counts because you have activated your brain while you studied

4. HAVE FUN. YES, REALLY.

Boredom is the enemy of motivation. So find the fun. Love color? Get those highlighters out. Into music? Create a study playlist or turn important info into lyrics. Love to doodle? Make illustrated notes or flashcards.

Find ways to make schoolwork feel more you—and suddenly it’s not so bad.

5. FIND A STUDY BUDDY.

One of the most powerful ways to learn is to teach someone else. Plus, we’re more motivated when we’re not alone. It’s simply more fun. Pair up with a classmate and set regular study check-ins—even if it's just a 15-minute call to review flashcards or quiz each other. Accountability + camaraderie = success.

6. TURN STUDYING INTO A GAME.

Gamify the grind. Create trivia quizzes, play “Jeopardy” with your family, or use flashcards to earn basketball shots or dance breaks. Compete with yourself to beat your best scores.

Need a little more pizzazz? Try “Deal or No Deal” with questions taped to envelopes holding surprise rewards. Make learning feel like a game show—and suddenly it’s something you look forward to (or at least don’t dread).

7. CHANGE YOUR SCENERY.

Sometimes a simple change of environment can shift your mindset. Move your study space outside, switch rooms, or even go to a quiet coffee shop or library. New surroundings can help you refocus and re-energize when you're feeling sluggish.

8. COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER.

Create a countdown calendar to summer break! Visualizing the number of days left makes the end feel within reach—and that’s powerful motivation. Add treats, stickers, or mini rewards to make each day feel like progress.

9. THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT STRATEGIES

Believe you can do it. Your mindset matters. Each morning, take 30 seconds to visualize your success and remind yourself: “I’m capable of great things.” That small habit can totally change your energy and help you find the success you have worked for all year long.  

Know your why. What are you working toward? A future goal? A dream college? Pride in yourself? Motivation starts with meaning—so take a moment to reconnect deeply with yours.

You’ve got this.

The pool, the sun, the fun—all of that is waiting for you. But right now, invest in you. Do the work now so you can enjoy the summer with no regrets.

Speaking of fun…The Study Coaches is offering great ways to keep your brain tuned up this summer!

Sessions start throughout June and July—call now for more info.

• Summer School Support – Summer school moves fast, we have extended our drop-in membership to offer personalized support two days a week, all summer long.

• Beat the Summer Slide - Join us twice a week for exciting enrichment sessions that keep your kids engaged, learning, and having fun all week long—even between sessions! Think escape rooms, STEM activities, movie & book reviews—all the FUN STUFF your kids love, with the learning baked right in.

• Executive Function and Study Skills – An engaging and interactive course to help students develop and practice strong executive functioning skills just in time for the start of a new school year.