Autumn is here and you have decided to start studying again. Whether you have taken time off due to vacation, illness or other personal circumstances, getting back into the learning rhythm after a break can be a real challenge. It doesn’t matter whether you have decided on a university degree or a language course at inlingua, returning to study can be difficult.

Ideally, you’ll be excited and optimistic. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, don’t let it bother you. Just because you’ve been out of practice doesn’t mean it’s all gone. Your “study mode” is still there. With the right attitude and some advice, you’ll be able to switch it back on in no time. Follow a few steps and you’ll be able to get back into a study routine, make your learning process more effective, and get your academic goals within reach. Don’t waste time; your books are waiting, and we want you to get the most out of your study sessions.

Just follow these recommendations to get back to your learning routine.

👆 1: Organization is everything

Having a clear plan increases your chance of success and helps prevent stress. You won’t miss deadlines, and you won’t let yourself get swamped with work if your schedule is always in front of you!

It’s also a good idea to supplement your schedule with daily and weekly to-do lists. At the end of each week, you’ll have a clear overview of what still needs to be done and what has been completed. With lists, you can keep everything under control despite potential delays or hiccups. As we all know, even the most carefully constructed plans sometimes get derailed.

👆 2: Routine matters

After setting major study goals, it is crucial to establish a consistent learning routine. Routines shape our daily structure and can have a powerful impact if we adhere to a well-organized schedule. This helps avoid the pitfalls of losing track of time or falling behind.

Routines can also help you be more efficient. If you have a full-time job, it’s a good idea to regularly clear your mind with some exercise before studying. After you’ve finished your lesson, you can then completely switch off and enjoy your leisure time.

With these routines, you will find that you are more focused. It will be easier to concentrate and you will be able to fully relax when your work is done.

👆 3: Are you an early bird or a night owl?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to learning. It's important to find out the time of day when you are most productive, and then align your study schedule with your most efficient hours. Are you bursting with energy and motivation in the morning? Or are you a night owl, with evening or post-dinner study sessions the ideal solution?

Be patient, it will take time to discover how and when you are most productive. As soon as you change your schedule to take advantage of your peak capacity for learning, you will notice that your focus will be sharper and more intense.

👆 4: Find the right spot!

Locating the right place to study is essential for getting the most out of your learning sessions. Ideally, you should have a dedicated study area. Separating relaxation from learning helps improve concentration. The study spot could be your office or even just the kitchen table—it doesn’t matter, so long as it’s tidy and organized. However, some people struggle to focus at home, finding distractions too tempting. Does this sound familiar? A local park or a nearby café might be a great alternative study spot for you. Ambient noise in cafés can promote creative thinking.

👆 5: Do not disturb!

In today’s hyper-connected world, we are constantly distracted in some way. You’re sitting at your desk, motivated, wanting to study efficiently and then the phone rings or an email arrives.

On average, it takes our brains 23 minutes to refocus after a distraction. Even if this was just a quick glance at your smart phone, it distracts you from learning. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is real! Humans are curious creatures and always want to know what’s going on around them. You can easily limit your distractions by switching your phone to flight mode or “Do not disturb”. Another option to protect your learning time is to put the smartphone in another room. Out of sight, out of mind.

👆 6: Focus like a “tomato”

Do you know the simple but effective Pomodoro technique  to improve your concentration? It consists of working with high concentration for 25 minutes, followed by a five-minute break. This cycle is repeated three more times before taking a longer break of 30 minutes. There are many other productivity and concentration techniques that may give your study sessions an extra boost. It is worth trying out different techniques and finding out which one is right for you.

👆 7: Don’t hesitate to ask questions

Questions are always allowed and are a much better option than just feeling lost. Don’t be afraid to ask your teachers for advice or help, that’s their job. At the same time, they can also help you with any tips about learning. Anyone in the teaching profession has years of experience and was also once a student. Through this collaboration, new ideas and perspectives can be gained, as well as a bond forged.

👆 8: Importance of a balanced, healthy life

If you enjoy the learning process, it can be very tempting to overdo it. Continue to make sure you have a good work-life balance. Even if you are bursting with enthusiasm and motivation, it’s important to set boundaries. Never set yourself up for a burnout, whether you are learning full-time or if you’re trying to educate yourself while working a full-time job.

The longer you study, the more important it is to take regular breaks. Just a few minutes are enough for your brain to recharge and get your concentration back on track. If you feel tired or frustrated, your body and brain are letting you know that you need a break. One study-free day a week is recommended to clear your head. After you are refreshed, you can throw yourself into the next learning unit with new energy. Keep in mind that healthy habits improve our learning. This includes sleep. Only with enough sleep can our brains function properly, consolidating what we have learned and our memories. It’s no wonder that we have trouble concentrating and learning when we are tired. A healthy and balanced diet is another important topic. Our memory and our ability to concentrate are strongly linked to the consumption of the right nutrients. Certain foods boost brain health.

Of course, a healthy lifestyle also includes exercise. Regular exercise can improve your memory and even increase your ability to concentrate. Research shows that it is much easier to memorize new words while learning a language during a walk. Just 10 minutes of gentle exercise can lead to better concentration.

Find success

Getting back into learning after a long break is thrilling and can be the start of a fresh chapter in your life, or even the beginning of a new career path. Here is a final push to guide you on the road to success.

Reflection boosts your study efficiency:
The key to effective studying is to regularly reflect on your study sessions. To succeed you need to assess what techniques and strategies are working well for you. Adapt your approach as needed to maximize your studying effectiveness.

Keep on going:
Being consistent is the secret of getting back on track with studying after a long break. Follow your study plan, focus on your goals, and stay disciplined in your approach.

Sometimes you lose heart when you go back to school after a long break. Be kind to yourself as you get back behind the books. Too much pressure can lead to a loss of motivation. Celebrate your wins and progress – however small. Reward yourself when you accomplish your goals – no matter what they are.

The more you practice, the easier it will be for you to learn. Just like any other skill it may be difficult at first, but perseverance will pay off! It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Keep in mind that it’s common to have setbacks or off days. Give yourself the time you need, keep your focus and stay determined. Success in your studies is within reach. All the best!

Sources:

Back on Track: How to Start Studying After a Summer Break | Blog StudyCorgi

The Effects of Summer Vacation on Achievement Test Scores: A Narrative and Meta-Analytic Review – Harris Cooper, Barbara Nye, Kelly Charlton, James Lindsay, Scott Greathouse, 1996 (sagepub.com)

9 tips to help you get back into learning after a long break – Rest Less

6 tips on how to be more effective after a long study break (kaplan.co.uk)

How to Study After a Long Break – Powerful Sight

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18602754/

Pomodoro® Technique – Time Management Method (pomodorotechnique.com)

10 smart productivity techniques you should know about (timelyapp.com)

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” Pablo Picasso

Goal setting can be overwhelming. What do you want to achieve? How can you define realistic goals? Whatever combination of goals we have, they help us see how we can personally and professionally grow in the right direction.

Discover Your Goals

To ensure you are on the right path, you need to realize which goals help get you where you want to go.  Asking yourself questions will support you in this process. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and use your intuition:

  • What have you wanted to do but were afraid to try?
  • What are your most important values right now?
  • What do you most enjoy doing?
  • Where would you like to be in five or ten years?
  • What are some short-term goals that can help you get to your long-term goals?

Make sure to cover all important areas in your life such as education, relationships, personal growth, career and fitness. Spend some time brainstorming and then select one or more goals in each category that best reflect what you want to do. As soon as you have a small number of significant goals that you can focus on, you are ready for the next step.

Set S.M.A.R.T. goals

There are many reasons why goals are not met. A lot of it has to do with how you set your goals. A useful way of making goals more powerful is to make them SMART. SMART is an acronym and means: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. For example, instead of having “speak French” as a goal, it is more powerful to use the SMART goal “To have completed level B2 in French by 31 December 2021.” Setting precise goals and putting in dates, times, and amounts, allows you to know exactly when you have achieved the goal and thus take complete satisfaction from having achieved it. Do not forget to state each goal as a positive statement!

Visualize your Goals

Now is the time to write your goals down to make them feel tangible. When you physically print or write down your goals, you are more likely to commit them to memory.  Think about small things you can do that will help you reach your goals. Here are some ways to visualize your goals:

  • Keep a journal.
  • Write down one sentence that describes the outcome you want. Post this statement somewhere easily visible. This keeps the positive outcome right in front of you.
  • Create a vision board: put together a collection of photographs and images that remind you of your goals and what they mean to you.

Through visualization, you will be able to boost your motivation and decrease the stress you feel as you face new challenges.

Good luck at setting your goals for the new year and remember to have fun with them as well!

…

Do you need help creating your personal learning path? inlingua has 50+ years’ experience in teaching languages in over 200 regions around the world. Get in touch here!

Sources

https://www.mindtools.com/page6.html

Do you want to achieve your language goals? Consistency and structure can be extremely beneficial when it comes to learning a foreign language. But what is efficient structure and how can you implement it in your weekly calendar?

Develop a Consistent Routine

Envision yourself in a few months’ time.

What is your language learning goal and how quickly would you like to achieve a new level? How much time per week can you devote to this goal?

Think about how you can develop a consistent routine, allocating specific time periods for learning. Committing yourself to a weekly schedule has a positive influence on achieving your long-term goal. Ideally, you set aside 2-3 hours at a time and take short breaks every 45 minutes or hour. It can also be helpful to review your notes at the end of each week. Schedule your learning sessions in your calendar.

Identify the Key Areas to Cover

What is the reason behind your language goal? And what skills would you like to focus on?
Whether you need to practice your speaking skills for your job or attain a certain level to be accepted at a University, depending on the goal you have set, you will have different priorities.

At inlingua, we believe that you learn a new language by speaking it. That is why we focus on the oral skills first, followed by improving your reading, listening, and writing skills.

Once you have set your learning objective, your path to reach your goal will be more clearly visible.

Find a Learning Partner or Start an Online Study Group

For most of us, being accountable to ourselves simply is not enough to be committed to learning. If you struggle with procrastination, it can be beneficial to start a new habit with a close friend, colleague, or family member. You will not only have someone with a similar goal to share your next milestones with but also to help you overcome obstacles. That way, you surely will not give up so quickly.

You do not have the option to meet in person? Then you might also want to check if there is an online study group available.

Finally, having a learning partner or belonging to a study group can be a real boost and make learning more enjoyable.

…

Would you like to join a group with the same language goal? inlingua has 50+ years’ experience in teaching languages in over 250 regions around the world. Get in touch here!

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” Pablo Picasso

Goal setting can be overwhelming. What do you want to achieve? How can you define realistic goals? Whatever combination of goals we have, they help us see how we can personally and professionally grow in the right direction.

Discover Your Goals

To ensure you are on the right path, you need to realize which goals help get you where you want to go.  Asking yourself questions will support you in this process. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and use your intuition:

  • What have you wanted to do but were afraid to try?
  • What are your most important values right now?
  • What do you most enjoy doing?
  • Where would you like to be in five or ten years?
  • What are some short-term goals that can help you get to your long-term goals?

Make sure to cover all important areas in your life such as education, relationships, personal growth, career and fitness. Spend some time brainstorming and then select one or more goals in each category that best reflect what you want to do. As soon as you have a small number of significant goals that you can focus on, you are ready for the next step.

Set S.M.A.R.T. goals

There are many reasons why goals are not met. A lot of it has to do with how you set your goals. A useful way of making goals more powerful is to make them SMART. SMART is an acronym and means: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. For example, instead of having “speak French” as a goal, it is more powerful to use the SMART goal “To have completed level B2 in French by 31 December 2021.” Setting precise goals and putting in dates, times, and amounts, allows you to know exactly when you have achieved the goal and thus take complete satisfaction from having achieved it. Do not forget to state each goal as a positive statement!

Visualize your Goals

Now is the time to write your goals down to make them feel tangible. When you physically print or write down your goals, you are more likely to commit them to memory.  Think about small things you can do that will help you reach your goals. Here are some ways to visualize your goals:

  • Keep a journal.
  • Write down one sentence that describes the outcome you want. Post this statement somewhere easily visible. This keeps the positive outcome right in front of you.
  • Create a vision board: put together a collection of photographs and images that remind you of your goals and what they mean to you.

Through visualization, you will be able to boost your motivation and decrease the stress you feel as you face new challenges.

Good luck at setting your goals for the new year and remember to have fun with them as well!

…

Do you need help creating your personal learning path? inlingua has 50+ years’ experience in teaching languages in over 250 regions around the world. Get in touch here!

Sources

https://www.mindtools.com/page6.html

“You can either experience the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The choice is yours.” – Unknown

Even the most committed language learners find it difficult to concentrate on revising new vocabulary or grammar rules at some point. There are a few things you can do to keep you motivated, however.

Be Aware of Your Goals

Ask yourself why you started learning another language. Did you have any particular goals? Were there personal reasons for learning a language? In all cases, it is important to recall your interest and define your ‘ultimate goal’.

SMART goals set you up for success by making goals specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. The SMART method gives you a sense of direction and helps you reach your goals. The ‘ultimate goal’ can be broken down into milestones to make it more achievable and realistic. Remind yourself regularly of your goals and why you chose to learn another language. This will help to motivate you to study.

Create a Study Schedule

Putting time aside for studying can help maintain a positive language learning routine. You will thus feel more committed to reaching your goals and have a positive outcome. Learning languages is different to your daily work tasks. It can be a timeslot to enjoy yourself. Join a language course at a set time every week. Try to slot study blocks into your calendar and try to schedule your study blocks for the same day and time every week so it becomes a habit.

Stay positive

A positive attitude helps you to stay motivated even when challenges occur. Remind yourself regularly why you are learning another language. Acknowledge your milestones and reward yourself.  This helps to focus your mind on your achievements and increases your chances of feeling a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. That again eases your mind so that you can better remember new vocabulary and grammar rules. Staying positive isn’t only beneficial for learning other languages but increases your well-being in general.

…

Do you need help creating your personal learning path? inlingua has 50+ years’ experience in teaching languages in over 200 regions around the world. Get in touch here!