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Posted Dec. 31, 2012

Getting back into the postgrad game after a Gap Year

 You've had your fun in the sun, now it's time to get back into the postgraduate game.

Taking a gap year with the purpose of re-motivating and re-energizing the brain has become increasingly popular in recent years, and numerous studies from the Journal of Educational Psychology back up these claims.

Researchers have discovered that students who take a gap year before embarking on postgraduate study were much more motivated when they returned, especially with regards to adaptive behaviour such as planning, management and persistence.

Taking a gap year before undergoing your postgraduate Master's or PhD can help broaden your horizons, expand your world view, and hone your focus and drive. But how do you get back into study mode after such a long break?

Plan Ahead Get organized and prioritize your tasks. Planning ahead allows us to become familiar with what we intend to do, thus allowing us to feel confident in our chances of success. As a result, you will be better equipped to tackle any issues that may arise in a calm and capable manner, dealing with problems effectively and efficiently.

Refresh Your Memory Depending on what you've been doing during your gap year, you might not have been exercising your brain in the most intellectual manner! Try going over some old notes, essays or exam papers to help refresh your memory.

Start Reading As soon as you get your suggested preliminary reading list get to it. Most students won't bother to start reading until fresher's week , but then they haven't been out of the game for a year! Getting stuck in with the readings as early as possible will help give you an edge and ease you back into productivity mode.

Good Night's Sleep How you feel when you wake up says a lot about the night you had and the day to come.

 Get a good night's sleep and we'll guarantee that your first  day back at university will be far less stressful. A sumptuous slumber will help concentration and clarity, enhance your ability to make better informed decisions, and it will put you in a good mood.

Study Buddy Making friends is not only good for your social life - it can also help improve your grades! Two heads are better than one, which is why finding a study partner could be one of the best decisions you make for your postgraduate study. From keeping you motivated and on track, to pooling resources - nothing beats a study buddy.

One Day at a Time Don't panic...just take it one day and a time until you get back into the swing of things. Taking things slowly in the beginning will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed and stressed out. Procrastination will get you nowhere!
 

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