Starting off as undergraduates, we were bright-eyed and keen. Little did we know the horrors that awaited us.

By third year, we’ve truly seen some shit. Shit in the form of deadlines, pracs, and bodies that have consumed more caffeine than anyone previously thought possible.

And with the evolution from happy first-years, to exhausted third-years comes a drop in motivation levels. Assignment deadlines become complete dread rather than a chance to prove yourself.

Look, it can be draining, but there is something you can do about it. Here are some tips to get that motivation back so you can finish off your degree on a high.

Remind Yourself Why You’re Doing This

Did you only decide to study law because of an unhealthy obsession with Harvey Spector, or committed to med with dreams of becoming Dr House?

No judgement here. In fact, we think it’s a good idea to go back to the source of what piqued your intrigue in the first place. Maybe it was a book, or a conversation with a family member who studied the same thing.

Get back in touch with your roots and remind yourself why you’re going through this hell in the first place. Who knows, you might even pick up some tips.

Get Some Work Experience

Often at uni, we get bogged down in the theoretical and research-based nature of learning. Which is great and all — except that most of us are at uni to do practical things, like get jobs.

So, give yourself a practical push and start looking around for work experience in those final semesters. Even if it’s just one day a week, or a week in the break, actually seeing what you want to do will help you visualise those goals when you’re knee deep in assignments. Also, it’ll give you a nice little leg up come job-searching time.

Defer A Semester

Look, I get it — when you’re so close to the end, deferring a semester is most likely the last thing you want to do. But persevering when your heart’s just not in it might mean a drop in your GPA. Surely taking that extra six months off is better than adding some fails to an otherwise perfect record.

Plus, you can always use the opportunity to enjoy that last little bit of freedom before graduation and a full-time career. Follow an artistic dream, get a short term job, or do an internship. Really, just take the six months to be sure of what you want to do. Some resume diversification never hurt either.

Look At Graduate Jobs Going

Sure, you can daydream all you like about ending up as the CEO of Google, or whatever other dream job takes your fancy. But in order to get there, you have to start somewhere. Hop on Seek and take a peek at the graduate jobs going in your area.

Granted, they’re not as exciting, but they’ll give you a good idea of what to expect after graduation, as well as hopefully get you keen for the work you could be doing this time next year.

Take a note of the skills they’re looking for and see how you can build them up before you graduate. Make it like a check list that you need to tick off.

(Lead image: 30 Rock/NBC)