Senior School
Winter is Coming
It's finally upon us! June 1st sees winter arrive in all its forms – longer nights, wet days, and dropping temperatures. The heady summer days of being out late, sitting outside, playing sport, or hanging with your friends can seem like a lifetime ago when combined with the pressures of Year 11 & 12, and the competing demands of remaining motivated as Unit 1 & 3 end and Unit 2 & 4 begin.
So, what can you do about it?
The following excerpt was sourced from the Open Universities and has some handy tips.
It’s Science: Finding motivation to study in winter is harder! A study published by the Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Science found that it’s much more difficult to keep your mind on task during the winter months. During the study, participants were able to tackle activities requiring sustained attention with much more ease during summer. During winter on the other hand, the participants had the worst levels of concentration recorded.
How to get the motivation to study when it’s cold. There are a few things you can do to defrost that brain of yours and make a solid dent in your assignments while it’s frosty. Here are a few ideas:
Exert Energy First
When studying from home, it can feel like your legs don’t get much of a stretch. You might make your way from your bed to your desk and the couch and back again during a day of intense assignment-writing, but not anywhere else. If this is you, it’s no wonder you’re finding it difficult to maintain concentration. Your body may have pent-up energy that needs to be exerted. Try rugging up and going for a jog or walk around the block before you knuckle down. You’ll get the energy out of those restless legs, and the boost of endorphins will do wonders for your mood.
Find Strength in Numbers
Winter is often thought of as a solitary time. Bears hibernate. Children stay indoors. And sports pitches remain empty until the sun shines again. But just because it’s quiet outdoors, it doesn’t mean it has to be so lonely indoors. Meet up with a friend in a local library or café to tackle your tasks in company. You can set a timer for working sessions, and then discuss difficult theories. And why not treat yourself to an outing afterwards? Which leads us to our next point.
Dangle the Carrot
While staying inside during winter is comforting, the monotony can be difficult. If your only reprieve from tackling an assignment is a hot cup of tea, it’s no wonder you’re dragging your heels. That’s why we recommend setting some small rewards to motivate yourself. Your reward doesn’t have to be big or expensive. But ensure it’s something outside of the home. A hot chocolate from your favourite café or an oozing jam donut could do the trick. Or maybe it’s taking yourself to the movies?
Motivation Study Quotes
Finally, if you’ve done all of the above and just can’t get out of your freezing-weather funk, we suggest checking out these motivation study quotes. Find your favourite, write it on a post-it note and pop it on your laptop screen or desk for a rainy day.
'If you really want something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.'
'One day you will say, “I made it.”'
'Wake up with determination, go to bed with satisfaction.'
'The best way to predict your future is to create it.'
'Remember why you started.'
'The expert in anything was once a beginner. '
Other factors that can have a positive outcome include:
Staying hydrated – it’s easy when the heating is on and you’re staying warm to dehydrate, so keep the drink bottle on standby.
Eating well – avoid all those sugary comfort foods that, whilst they might give you a quick boost, don’t sustain energy, and you’ll crash quickly, which can impact your mood.
Boosting your immunity – work on a balanced diet, regular sleep 7-8 hours a day, and if needed, vitamins.
If the sun is out – getting out! Natural light boosts vitamin D levels and improves mental health.
Setting your study routine up to include breaks and a comfortable space to work in.
Most importantly, seek support when needed – don’t bury your head in the sand and think it will all go away or get better. Reach out to your teachers, friends, and family – everyone has your back, and we are all there for you.
James Doble
Assistant Principal
On behalf of the
Senior School Team