As I’m sure many people can relate, I find returning to studying after a long break difficult. More so if I have done little to no work over the break or even at the other end of the scale if I have been constantly working. So how do I tackle this and the lack of motivation that comes with it?

The biggest piece of advice I could probably give someone who struggles to get back into the rhythm of working is to not completely stop working over an extended period of time. By this I don’t mean you should be writing essays day in day out, but simply doing something small that doesn’t necessarily feel like work can help ease the struggle you face when returning to university. Examples of this may be extra/extended reading related to your subject that interests you, making revision material such as flashcards or mind maps (whatever works best for you) or even watching documentaries/films related to your subject.

Whilst at the time these may not feel like ‘work’, they’re keeping your mind active and your brain ticking over without putting too much stress on yourself.

Another important tip is to not overwork yourself. Breaks are there for a reason, if you’re working constantly then returning to university after ‘break’ may be the final straw before you burn out. A balance is important, making time to see people and do things is just as crucial as staying on top of work. So, whilst the looming pressure of exams and assignments may cause you to feel as if you don’t deserve a break (something I especially struggle with), you need to value your mental wellbeing. In my opinion, you’re more likely to return to lectures and seminars with a fresh mind and positive outlook if you’ve enjoyed your break and allowed yourself to rest and restore.

This does mean battling the urge to work constantly, particularly if you’ve got yourself into a routine which promotes this. In sixth form this was something I definitely struggled with, and one way I combatted it was through creating a timetable and restricting the number of hours I would work for. Of course, the workload is a lot different from when I was doing my A-Levels, but the same principle of working enough to not drain yourself still applies. Therefore, as difficult as it may be for someone with a high academic drive, giving yourself breaks and time to destress is extremely important if you want to return to university re-energised and ready for the next term.

Overall, the message of this piece is that balance is key and everyone learns or works differently;  finding what works for you is important. Being productive over your break is incredibly important for returning to class with a healthy mindset.