LYNX LIFE LIBRARY

The holidays can provide a much-needed break from classes, schoolwork, and extracurriculars—especially after finals! While some students can easily switch from restful relaxation to producing papers with no problem, others might have a difficult time focusing or getting back into the swing of their academic routines after CU Denver’s winter break. Getting back into the groove of things may be challenging, but here are a few things our Learning Hub Ambassadors do to help rekindle that enthusiasm for learning and regain motivation for the upcoming semester.

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"I ease myself into it. If I try to jump right in, I feel like I burn out easily; but I find if I make gradual adjustments, I’m less anxious, more comfortable, and definitely manage the change better. Just like it’s difficult to go from sleeping in until noon every day to suddenly waking up early for classes again, the same thing goes with doing schoolwork—it’s hard to go from doing no work at all to now jumping back in. Transitioning from a relatively easy schedule to a busy one is hard for everyone, and I try to make things much easier on myself by taking it slow."
     
Ethan, Learning Hub Ambassador 

"I’ve always tried to keep my brain functioning since I know we’re heading back to classes soon. Taking that time off from studies is good for catching up on shows and movies, but I also find joy in reading a good book to keep your mind sharp! Sometimes I re-read an old favorite or a new novel I got as a gift. Whatever it is, I try to take a break from the norm and just dive into something entertaining."
     
Zahra, Learning Hub Ambassador 

"Since it happens over winter break, the New Year is a great time for me to reflect on the last semester and whatever my aspirations are for 2023. Setting new goals for myself is the perfect way to not only keep myself motivated, but keep me accountable as well. I think back about what was successful for me last semester and maybe what I’d do different to set myself up better for success. In the past, I wanted to practice new study habits I learned from classmates or workshops, and I made time to actually put in the work to hit that goal! I keep my goals SMART— Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Reasonable, and Timely—and I use them to inspire and motivate me as I return to campus after break."
     
Shi, Learning Hub Ambassador 

"Sometimes organizing life as the semester begins can feel overwhelming. Keeping a to-do list of sorts is most helpful for me. Options to keep on top of everything range from stylish planners to colorful websites to intuitive phone apps. I personally prep myself for coming back from break by keeping up with a journal/to-do list of sorts. Not like an official bullet journal, but just enough to keep me organized on what I need to prioritize for personal life/academics/work life! Also, if you can, try and find a separate space to study that’s away from where you sleep. I want my bedroom to be a restful place, and when I was studying in there often, I'd start associating that place of rest with my busybody mode. Studying elsewhere allows me to feel rested and refreshed in my room."
     
Ven, Learning Hub Ambassador 

"When it comes to maintaining motivation in school, I find having a growth mentality is crucial. It’s something I learned over time and seriously helped me see the bigger picture. I stopped telling myself that setbacks were unacceptable and worked on putting my attention on the process rather than the outcome. Recognizing that occasional setbacks and mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow has been invaluable; it’s all a necessary part of the learning process. I try not to be too hard on myself, and I love to celebrate the successes! Going back to campus is never easy, but it’s important to remember that everyone struggles with adjustments. I give myself grace and challenge myself to grow from any hiccups on my path to graduation."

Saaida, Learning Hub Ambassador