There is often nothing more relaxing and rejuvenating than experiencing a long holiday break. But returning from vacation and attempting to get back into a productive routine can feel like an arduous task.
If you’re a working professional and a student with many responsibilities, getting back on track quickly is the key to keeping yourself from being overwhelmed. That’s why it’s important to have a strategy to help you pivot back to an academic mindset so you don’t push yourself too hard on the first day back and go into panic mode.
Refine Your Routine
There’s a good chance that you may have felt stressed or burnt out before your holiday, so it makes sense to shake up your routine when you return and get back into the swing of things. The reality is that you must take care of your body if you want to be successful in your studies. A great place to start is to take stock of food, exercise, and sleep habits, which can tend to go south over a vacation. Make it a priority to get back onto a regular sleep schedule, commit to eating healthily, and carve some time out every day to get moving—even if it’s just a short walk around the block. If you feel your best physically, it will be easier to focus on academics when you need to, post-vacation.
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Create A Study Schedule
Next up, it’s time to re-organize and create a new study schedule. Whether you prefer to use a traditional planner or an online calendar or app, begin by going through your course syllabi and inputting project, test, and exam due dates. Then, consider your work and family responsibilities to help determine the most efficient days and times to devote to learning. If you’re used to studying in the mornings before work, consider whether it would be beneficial to revamp your routine and hit the books in the evening. If you find it more constructive to focus on academics in the early hours, then give that a try.
Start Small
Give yourself enough time to acclimate to your curriculum again after your holiday. Trying to resume your studies at the same speed you did before you quit is unrealistic and might result in burnout and sluggishness. Rather, concentrate on manageable everyday chores that you can cross off your to-do list. By doing this, you may have an instant sense of fulfillment that inspires you to carry on.
Simple chores like organizing your course materials, making quick study summaries, or reviewing your syllabi online might be included in this list. Getting started is usually the hardest aspect of any endeavor, so make it your main priority.
