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Ah yes, finally! A break from the relentless 9am lectures. Summer break is often a seasonal favorite for students – the weather is good, social life picks up, and best of all, no classes! But, with autumn exam season looming menacingly in the distance, it is important to stay motivated with a regular study schedule.
So, how can you stay motivated during the summer break, so your future self can thank you? Check out our top 10 tips below…
Look for inspiration 🧐
Often, the hardest part of studying is finding the motivation to start. Having a reliable source of inspiration is a great idea to get that motivation pumping. According to a recent Yugo survey, the biggest inspirations for UK students were their parents (50%), successful businesspeople (41%), and those standing up for what they believe in (38%). So, who can you turn to for some motivational advice?
Get into a routine ⏰
Once classes break up for summer, it is all too easy to completely lose track of your routine and revert back to your old ways. To keep your finger on the trigger, we recommend establishing a summer routine. It doesn’t have to be as regimented as your term-time schedule (it is summer break, after all). By simply blocking time for important tasks in your week such as exercise, food prep, and studying – your brain and body will thank you.
Set realistic goals ✔️
We all get those euphoric moments where we think we can do anything… only to come back down to earth a few minutes later. The TLDR here is, don’t set unrealistic expectations of yourself. If your textbook is 400 pages of solid theory, you can’t expect yourself to read, digest, and understand all of it in one week. Try to set achievable goals, so you don’t feel too stressed or disheartened.
Reward yourself 🥇
When things are tough, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This is why it is important to reward yourself when things are going well! Finished reading that super long textbook? That deserves a relaxing bubble bath. Finally got your head around that equation? A Nando’s sounds like a great treat. Remember, try to regulate the value of your ‘treats’ to the magnitude of your achievements – otherwise they won’t act as a motivator!
Get your peers involved 👋🏽
Studying alone can feel very gloomy, especially if there is a subject you can’t seem to get your head around. Often, inviting some of your course mates around for a study social can make things a lot brighter! Why not plan a course or subject based study sesh – complete with themed drinks and nibbles? Did someone say ‘bring a board’ night?
Join a club or society 🧘🏿♀️
If you find yourself craving social connection whilst studying, joining a study club or society can be super helpful. You can meet and interact with other students in the same situation as you – and might even make some new friends in the process!
Take a break 🛁
Studying can be overwhelming, especially when you feel like you are running out of time. The important thing to remember here is that you are actually on summer break – and that also means that you need to take time for fun, relaxation, and socialising. When you are planning out your study schedule, remember to add in time for breaks. Don’t burn yourself out!
Remember the rewards (or consequences) 🎉
A great motivator when it comes to studying is remembering what your end goal is. Is it walking across that graduation stage? Is it landing your dream job? Thinking about these moments, and how you are going to get there, can often break you out of a procrastination cycle. If you are truly in the depths of demotivation, remind yourself of the consequences, too.
Get outdoors 🏕
As humans, we need certain things to keep us happy and healthy, and one of those is sunlight. If you are feeling a little down and need a pick-me-up, try taking your study alfresco. A change of scenery can truly make all of the difference.
Work at your own pace 🏃♀️
Our final tip is to always work within your own means. Your course mate might have completed all of their essays in the first week of break, and that might make you feel inferior. But remember, you had four shifts at your part time job, and took a day out to travel home. Everybody’s situation and schedule is different, so comparing yourself to others is often a recipe for de-motivational disaster. You know your goals, and you know how to achieve them – so focus on you!
Your next feminist inspiration based on your university course 🤓
We have taken a research deep-dive to find some of the most inspirational women for university students to look up to, based on the UK’s most popular chosen course subjects. From revolutionary scientists to code cracking engineers – these wise, witty, and wonderful women are sure to spark inspiring thoughts and share important messages.
One thing we do recommend whilst you are personalising your student digs is investing in a houseplant. 21% of Gen Z individuals class themselves as ‘plant parents’ , the largest percentage in this study of age groups. This is believed to stem from the desire to care for a living thing – nurturing something other than ourselves. Deep.
Studying is, of course, part and parcel with attending university. But, it’s no big secret that some students take it more seriously than others. From finding a quiet secluded area, to creating your very own study playlist – it’s actually been proven that your study space can play a huge role in how effectively you learn. So, what does your chosen study space say about you?
5 reasons to study abroad and how to find accomodation? 🏢
Studying abroad has many benefits, from personal development, to improving your job prospects. But, it can also be a huge leap to take, especially if you’ve not travelled much before. If you’re still deciding whether studying overseas could be for you, here are five reasons why we think it could be life changing.
One of those decisions is choosing where to live. Many people think their only option is to live on-campus in halls of residence. But, a growing number of students are choosing to live in purpose-built student accommodation off-campus. If you’re still a little unsure which accommodation could be right for you, don’t worry – we’ve got you. We’ve compared the benefits of living off-campus VS on-campus to help you decide.
So, how do you make your ‘home away from home’ a place you are proud to present? Yugo has tirelessly trawled through TikTok to discover and reveal its top five must-have Amazon finds to update your space for 2023 – so you can create the ultimate destination to return to after a long day of lectures… or a longer evening on the dance floor.
How to live the green life: Top student hacks to reduce your impact on the planet 🌏
We’re here to reveal its top tips to reduce your carbon footprint and increase your sustainability – without putting a huge dent in your maintenance loan. Check out our handy hacks here...
Moving away from home can be challenging in many ways, but being in charge of your own money can be one of the trickiest ones. In fact, in our recent survey, 37% of UK students found it difficult to manage their finances and budget effectively when living away from home.
The unwritten rules of the shared university kitchen revealed 🧹
We've compiled a handy list of things to establish with your flat mates from the get go, so your shared accommodation journey is smooth and straightforward. Let’s go…
Thinking about going Postgrad? Here's what you need to know 🎓
Whether you’re looking to do a Masters, Doctorate, Postgraduate certificate or Postgraduate diploma, the experts here at Yugo have the lowdown on what it’s like to carry on your studies.
