Blog: Getting Back Into the Groove After the Winter Break

The days are getting longer, the sky is getting brighter, spring is just around the corner. It’s time to brush off the cobwebs and get back to business. Who says January has to always be so depressing? Yes, it may be time to get back to reality, but it can also be time to refocus, reflect, and set new ambitions to achieve.
Sound good? Have a look below at our top tips on how to get back in the groove, and be the best version of you at College this term.

Step one: Reflection

How do you really think you did last term? Are you happy with the standard of your work, your attendance and your work/life balance?

If the answer is no, not really or absolutely not, you’ve come to the right place. Reflection is all about taking the time, to be honest with yourself and identify your weaknesses. This will ultimately help you to see what you need to do next to improve your productivity levels.

But remember, don’t be too hard on yourself! It’s important to reflect on your accomplishments from last term, and remember how good each and every one felt. It doesn’t matter if they’re big or small, they’re yours. You own them. Tap into that feeling of proudness, let’s replicate it!

Step two: Routine

The re-starting of our key routines is essential for settling back into College life after the Christmas break. We’ve all slept in until 12pm (at least), eaten too much chocolate and binged Netflix all day. Its not just you, don’t worry.

A good routine can quite simply be the difference between getting work done and not getting work done. They are incredibly important for you to be able to free up time for your studies and homework as well as your social life and hobbies.

It’s very important that you set realistic routines for yourselves, as this will help you to balance your College work with your hobbies, social lives and Netflix binging- ultimately making you less stressed and feel like you have your life together.

For example, Monday evening = night off to chill; Tuesday evening = one hour of college work, then football training; Wednesday evening = two hours of College work.

You don’t have to stick to the same routine every day or every week, that would be boring. But planning out the week ahead on a Sunday can really help you to find time for all your passions, as well as your College work.

Step 3: Goals

Goal setting is more important than you think. It can help you to get to where you want to be, short term and long term.

Try and have a quick think what your goals are upon returning to College this term. Can’t think of any? Start by answering these: Why did you come to College? Why did you choose your course? What do you want to do after College? If you’ve answered these in your head, it’s there, you have a goal, and something to work towards.

These goals can help keep us motivated, and motivation is the key to being successful in College, and in life. Feeling unsure about your motivations? We’ve got you covered with advice on how to unlock your potential and choose your future.

Step 4: Keeping Motivated

A big way to stay motivated is to remember why you’ve come to College and why you have chosen the course that you have. Motivation that comes from within you is the strongest form of motivation, because it’s what you think and want for yourself, not what anyone else thinks or wants for you.

To keep up your levels of motivation, it’s important to celebrate small victories. Whether you’ve learnt a new skill or something about yourself, you should reflect and be proud of every little step. This positive outlook on learning can help to spur us on for the next day, week or month.

Life is full of ups and downs, and nobody is 100% motivated all the time. This is because motivation is an emotion, and it comes and goes just like all other emotions. This is why when you feel down, lost, discouraged or sad, it can slip away from you. It’s important to understand that even if your motivation does slip away temporarily, it will return, and you will get your mojo back.

Okay, so what’s next? Open that laptop, get those multicoloured pens out. It’s 2022, and time for a new you.

Find your motivation and get your groove back by studying with us at Rotherham College.

Rotherham College offers a variety of courses, with pathways into Higher Education and employment. Click here to find out more.