‘Back to uni? But it’s only the start of February!’
We hear you. We don’t want to think about summer coming to an end either, and the thought of another year of studying hard, attending lectures, and pulling all-nighters to get that assignment in on time is enough to start the undereye bags forming already. But what if we tell you there is a way to power into the new study year with all the relaxed, happy, summer vibes intact? Seriously. We’re here to tell you that it’s possible to rock up to classes all year-round with that post-holiday freshness you’re rocking right now.
Even better, our tips are super easy and will only require a small bit of time and commitment. That small amount of time will seriously make such a difference when your alarm rings on day one.
Tip #1: Get a good sleep routine
A sleep routine is all about maximising the effectiveness of your sleep. If you still want to stay up late with your besties, go for it. But before heading to sleep, calculate how many hours of sleep you should get (we recommend 8-9 hours for teens and young adults) and set your alarm accordingly. When that alarm goes off, get out of bed. Even if it’s just for ten minutes. Get up, do some stretches. Leave your bedroom. If you’re still totally exhausted after that, go back to bed. It is summer after all. But getting your body used to adhering to your alarm after a relaxing summer is going to help you wake up easier and bushy-tailed-er (you know what we mean!).
Getting enough sleep isn’t the only important aspect of a quality sleep routine. Being sure to sleep well is also a major component -so it’s time get rid of bedroom distractions. You shouldn’t bring food, or books, or even your phone for scrolling Insta, into your sleep sanctuary. It’ll almost definitely be difficult to get yourself to fall asleep without these distractions, but when you do, you’ll train your body to sleep when it’s time to sleep. This will help you sleep soundly and deeply, which will also help you get out of bed come morning.
Tip #2: Organise your workspace
Has your desk become a cluttered nightmare under a pile of beach towels and sand? Now is the time to clean it up!
Keeping a clean workspace is going to work as mental preparation that classes will be back in full force soon. It will be a silent cue to your body that routine is coming back, and you’ll have to readjust. It will also give you a pre-class opportunity to do inventory with your supply stock.
Have you come this far without needing a workspace? Why not take a few hours to set one up? It’s likely to be more effective while studying in a dedicated area rather than in places with other purposes (beds are for sleep, table is for meals, etc). Finding a desk can be as easy as repurposing some old furniture, checking out the nearest Salvos, or even searching Gumtree.
Tip #3: Make a budget
When we say make a budget, the first thing to come to mind is probably money. While that is a great way to keep ahead of the preparedness game, let’s first talk about budgeting time.
The most difficult part of being a young adult is finding time to tackle assignments, attend classes, have a social life, make meals, do chores, and you know the list doesn’t end there.
Dedicate a fraction of a day before classes commence and think about how you want to manage your time this year. If you can draft up a rough schedule and prioritise what is most important to you, you’ll find it a breeze to sink into routine and stay ahead of the game.
Tip #4: Have goals
Start with making a goal that requires action each week of February. Choose a goal that’s achievable, but requires a bit of effort. Maybe you’ve slacked in your summer reading list and want to read 100 pages each week. Maybe you want to clean one room each week. Maybe you want to start training for the half marathon with one long run per week. It’s up to you.
Now that you’re in a goal-setting mindframe, look ahead into your 2026 and think about what you would like to accomplish. It can be as big or little as you would like. Write it down (it will feel like a promise to yourself) and formulate strategies on how to get there. Last month we talked about New Year Resolutions and how to make sure they are successful. Just like in making resolutions, it’s important to keep your goals measurable and easy to implement off the bat.
Tip #5: Remember to take care of yourself
Last year around exam time, we shared several ways to relax while studying. Just because the year has only just begun and the stress hasn’t snuck up on you yet, doesn’t mean you should disregard the idea of relaxation! It is still a vital aspect of our mental wellbeing and therefore has a direct impact on your success as a student.
Running from class to class, extracurricular to extracurricular, social event to social event is exhausting. And though it may be the easiest option to just grab a muesli bar or opt for takeaway after a long day, we beg you to not start that habit. Before you’re off this leisurely summer schedule, give meal prepping a go and see if it’s a good option for you. Making homemade freezer meals and ‘grab & go’ snacks will not only keep you healthy but keep your brain power amplified as well!
Finally, come the start of classes, you’ll notice that you spend a hell of a lot more time sitting still. Whether in a lecture, or typing up an essay, we just don’t move as much during the school year.
We’ve found that in the busy lives of teens and young adults, the activity most likely to get chopped from the schedule is exercise. You’ve been told that a solid 30-minutes a day will do, but how often do you have 30 minutes to spare? Well guess what? Ten minutes is better than zero. Take a brisk walk, do a quick plant, lift your 10 kilo textbooks above your head for a minute, or even do some pelvic floor exercises while you sit in class. It’s doesn’t have to be a lot of effort to take care of yourself, but it will make a hell of a difference in your mental and physical wellbeing this year.
