I’m sure many of you have had a nice relaxing break, eating loads of food, watching TV all day and sleeping into the afternoon. I know I have! But as we take the Christmas decorations down and dust off our notes, it starts dawning on us that at some point, we have to get back to those 9am lectures and too many deadlines.
But how are we supposed to do that? Well, let me make some suggestions…
- Start slow with your early mornings
Sounds awful, right? Waking up at 8 am again, when it’s hard enough getting out of bed already. But slowly setting that alarm earlier and earlier can help ease your brain back into uni mode.
For example, if you normally need to get up at 8 but have recently been waking up at lunchtime, start by setting your alarm for 11, then 10:30 and keep going.
I won’t lie to you, it won’t be easy to start! But slowly getting back to it instead of suddenly waking up and going to lectures will help you feel more prepared when semester 2 begins.
You might even find yourself slipping back into your old morning routine.
- Be prepared
Whether you have a physical calendar or a digital one: it’s time to get on Timetabler and figure out your new schedule.
Most people’s timetable will have changed from last semester, so it’s important you check and see any changes. And if you have a calendar, start getting your lectures in it.
- Reconnect
When heading home for the holidays, it’s easy to start to lose contact with friends from Uni. Simply texting your mates and sharing your feelings about going back can really help alleviate any anxieties.
So, start catching up and making plans to go to the bar or catch a bite at Ziggy’s for when you get back.
- Refresh your room
Going back to the same plain environment you have spent hours staring at the wall in is a real motivation killer.
So why not mix it up a bit? Whether it’s something small like some colourful post-its and rearranging what’s on your corkboard, or some brand-new posters – Something different will help keep your focus up.
Bringing something from home can also help with the after-Christmas homesickness and make you feel more comfortable in your space.
And if you’re too busy re-decorating, you’re don’t have to be revising!
- Reach out for help
Everyone struggles at times, so don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or university support. Student Services offer many resources online for when you need them.
And remember: a lot of people struggle with changes to routine – as a neurodivergent student, I hate it! But there are ways to make your transition easier to get ready for the new semester.
Whether this is your first return or your 5th, the most important thing is to take care of yourself and be prepared.
Image credit: Lola Sears
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