How To Maintain Motivation And Sustain Momentum In Your Studies This Year

The start of a new year is often seen as the perfect time to lay the groundwork for our study goals for the rest of the year – whether through goal setting, intention or the age-old New Year’s resolution.

While 3 out of 4 people in the UK reportedly set New Year’s resolutions for 2025, historical data shows that only about 10% of us successfully follow through. While this may seem discouraging, there is a silver lining: by understanding the science of motivation, we can apply proven strategies to achieve our goals and maintain momentum throughout the year.

Find Your Why

Staying motivated begins with reconnecting to your core purpose—the reason you chose your subject in the first place. If you are studying psychology, whether driven by a passion for mental health or a deep curiosity about human behaviour, both motivations are equally valuable and meaningful. This personal connection to your subject serves as the foundation for setting concrete, actionable goals, such as SMART goals.

Set SMART Goals

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound – and they can be a great tool to stay on track with your goals as a distance learner. If you want to improve your grades in Maths over a term, set a SMART goal such as ‘I will aim to improve my assignment grades by two grades this term by spending an extra 20 minutes a day focusing on areas of the Maths syllabus I find challenging.’

Adopt A flexible Approach To Your Studies

Brian Tracy, author of Eat That Frog, recommends tackling your most challenging task first thing in the morning to boost motivation. Completing the hardest task first often makes the rest of your work feel more manageable.

But on days when energy is low or you’re not feeling well, it might be more effective to start with a smaller, more enjoyable task. Choose a module or activity that can be completed in just 5-15 minutes. These small wins not only help build momentum but also give you a sense of accomplishment that can propel you through the rest of the day.

Practice Self-compassion

Everyone struggles with motivation from time to time. Setbacks and low-energy days are normal. If you struggle with motivation or enthusiasm occasionally, remember to be kind to yourself, acknowledge your efforts, and recognise that your future self will thank you for the positive actions you take today.

On days when motivation wanes, take a moment to reflect and identify the underlying cause—perhaps burnout, stress, or a lack of clarity on your goals is the culprit. Understanding the root of these feelings allows you to develop strategies for overcoming these obstacles moving forward.

Distance learning offers lots of flexibility, so one option might be to adjust your study schedule to the times of day that most suit you. You could also work with your tutor, a family member or a trusted mentor to set smaller, more achievable goals. Good habits like eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising, and taking breaks are key to staying motivated. Rest, beyond just sleep, is also crucial for productivity. Whether it’s reading, painting, chatting with a friend, or doing a puzzle—whatever helps you unwind should be prioritised and woven into your day.

When you’re feeling recharged, you’ll find it easier to make sound decisions, stay focused, and approach this year’s study goals with renewed energy and determination.

By building healthy habits and maintaining a positive mindset, you’ll be equipped to tackle whatever challenges the year brings.

William Shakespeare revolutionised literature with his remarkable ability to portray the depth and complexity of human emotions; this was especially true in love and romance. He introduced and popularised over 1,700 words and phrases into the English language, many of which vividly capture the nuances of love, such as “love is blind” and “star-crossed lovers.” Timeless works like Romeo and Juliet have inspired countless adaptations, transcending cultural boundaries and profoundly influencing the way love is understood and depicted worldwide.

Romantic Themes And Language

One of the reasons Shakespeare remains iconic is his powerful use of universal themes that have become staples of love stories across cultures. The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet depicts a tale of forbidden love, a passionate romance constrained by societal expectations. Despite the forces conspiring to keep them apart, their unwavering devotion symbolises love’s ability to transcend boundaries and reason. On the other hand, Shakespeare explores the comedic, unpredictable and often irrational aspects of romance in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Through mischief, mismatched lovers and humorous misunderstandings, he highlights love’s transformative power.

Shakespeare’s mastery of the English language provides a rich and multifaceted perspective on the emotional spectrum of love. His use of metaphors, similes and vivid imagery allows complex emotions to be intricately woven into the verses of his sonnets and plays. For instance, the famous line “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” from Sonnet 18 evokes a wide range of feelings. While a summer’s day is fleeting, the comparison captures the enduring and transcendent joy of love.

Exploring Love’s Complexity

In addition to traditional portrayals of love, Shakespeare often delved into its more complex and darker dimensions. Themes of jealousy and betrayal are powerfully explored in Othello, while in Antony and Cleopatra, he presents a love that is both intense and flawed, interweaving political ambition with personal passion. By addressing these imperfections, Shakespeare offered a nuanced and multifaceted depiction of relationships that was far ahead of his time.

Shakespeare also challenged societal norms through his portrayal of strong, independent female characters who defied the expectations of their era. Rosalind from As You Like It exemplifies this through disguising herself as a man to pursue her love interest. These unconventional heroines reflect Shakespeare’s progressive approach to gender roles and his ability to portray love as a dynamic and evolving force.

Influence On Modern Romance

William Shakespeare’s influence on modern romance has been profound, shaping literature, film and popular culture for centuries. His blueprint for romantic storytelling resonates universally with contemporary love stories – from Hollywood rom-coms to poignant dramas – often reflecting Shakespearean themes of conflict, reconciliation and love’s transformative and transcendent power.

From The Pen Of A Teenage Girl

Science Fiction is a wonderful genre. It can be as broad and ambitious as space operas like James S. A. Corey’s The Expanse series, play with time and what-if scenarios like PKD’s The Man in the High Castle, or simple and whimsical like Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

However, like all big things, they start rather small and simple, and so did the science fiction genre some 200 years ago. At the time, we had some terrific authors penning classics, but the origin of one of the most popular genres today comes from a source not many would have expected, given the way of the world at the time.

Thank The Weather

The story of how Mary Shelley came to write Frankenstein is as legendary as the novel itself. In 1816, 18-year-old Mary and her future husband, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, spent a summer in Switzerland with Lord Byron and some friends. Stuck indoors due to relentless storms, the group decided to pass the time with a ghost story contest. Inspired by scientific experiments of the day—particularly those involving electricity and the reanimation of dead tissue—she began crafting the story that would become Frankenstein.

Think about it: Mary Shelley was just a teenager when she conceived a tale so profound it would shape an entire literary genre. She wasn’t simply writing about a monster; she was tackling big philosophical questions about creation, responsibility, and the boundaries of human achievement.

Breaking Barriers

Mary Shelley wasn’t just a young writer—she was a young female writer in an era when women were expected to stick to embroidery rather than groundbreaking literature. Publishing wasn’t an easy road. At first, Frankenstein was released anonymously, leading many to assume it was written by a man (because surely no woman could dream up something so macabre and complex, right?).

When her name was eventually revealed, she faced intense scrutiny—not just for the novel’s dark themes but for daring to step outside the “acceptable” boundaries for women. Yet Shelley persisted. Over her lifetime, she wrote numerous novels, essays, and travelogues, cementing her place in literary history.

The Birth Of Science Fiction

So why is Frankenstein considered the first science fiction novel? It would be easy to write it off as a horror novel, it certainly plays into that category with its ghoulish patchwork monster and layers of tension. But unlike earlier gothic works, which relied on supernatural elements, Frankenstein is grounded in science—or at least the science of its time. Shelley took contemporary theories about electricity and biology and asked, “What if?” That simple but powerful question became the foundation of the entire genre.

Her novel introduced a key hallmark of science fiction: exploring the ethical implications of scientific advancement. From H.G. Wells’ time machines to the AI dilemmas of modern sci-fi, Shelley’s influence is everywhere. Today, science fiction is a vast and varied genre, but its roots lie firmly in the hands of a teenage girl who dared to ask questions about science, humanity, and morality.

A Classic Inspiration

At 18, most of us are just figuring out what we want to do with our lives. Mary created an enduring masterpiece. As a woman in a male-dominated society, she opened doors for future generations of writers, proving that imagination knows no gender.

If there’s one thing you can take from this, it’s to believe in yourself. If Shelley can turn around a literary classic at 18 in a world where women weren’t allowed to do much of anything, who knows what you could achieve if you put your mind to it?

In today’s modern political arena, nations use various tactics and methods to exert their influence and foster collaboration with neighbouring countries. Two of the main tactics used are hard power and soft power and each come with their own advantages and disadvantages.

The most effective strategies incorporate both – a concept known as smart power. Understanding how these approaches are used reveals the evolving landscape of international relations and how soft power is becoming more prominent in shaping modern society.

Hard Power

Hard power has been the dominant form of influence throughout most of our history. Limited communications, weak global relations and high territorial competition had meant nations and societies relied on their military force or economic strength to exert power and control.

The Roman Empire for example, expanded their territories and influence through military campaigns and conquests while the Egyptians controlled resources such as water and land to gain leverage. In modern times, economic sanctions are often used as a means to pressure nations into confirming with international standards.
Hard power can bring about immediate results. It is very useful in sending warnings to other nations during high-stake scenarios or gaining stability in critical regions. The overuse of hard power can however lead to resentment and long-term damage to diplomatic relations. There is also a high cost to maintain a strong military force or persistent economic sanctions.

Soft Power

Soft power has become increasing more important in modern times as global connectivity and international relations have developed, leading to decline in hard power tactics as the desire for cooperation has increased. The term was invented in the late 20th century by Joseph Nye, a political scientist, and operates through cultural appeal and diplomatic relations.

Digital communications and the media have empowered nations to showcase their culture and values more effectively, such as the use of Hollywood films to portray the USA’s ideals of democracy and freedom to the world. China’s Belt and Road Initiative has helped to promote China’s culture and its diplomatic ties with participating countries. By providing infrastructure support to African nations for example, China has been able to improve its influence and sharing of culture with Africa through the opening of Chinese language schools.

Soft power fosters longer-lasting relationships which are forged through trust and mutual benefit. Today, our interconnectedness and ease of communications can prove to be much more effective than military or economic pressure and is often a cheaper option to maintain. It does however depend on a country’s authenticity and ability to garner trust through its actions and values. The complexity of global cultures also makes it difficult to ensure positive intentions do not lead to misunderstandings.

Smart Power

Modern politics often employs a mixture of both hard and soft powers, known as smart power. Here, the benefits of both approaches can be used to help strengthen a nation’s position globally. The European Union, for example, uses sanctions to penalise nations who breach agreements or carry out violations but also use educational exchanges such as ERASMUS to cultivate shared learning and knowledge.

Expanding your vocabulary is a valuable tool for enhancing communication, promoting intellectual growth and refining writing skills. A rich vocabulary allows the expression of ideas and emotions more vividly and with greater nuance, enables complex ideas to be conveyed with clarity and effectiveness and deepens the understanding of others to help strengthen connections in conversations. Below are some useful tips to help you effectively increase the range of your vocabulary.

Read Widely

Reading exposes you to a diverse array of words, phrases and expressions, allowing you to see how they are used in various contexts and the impact they create. Different genres provide unique vocabularies, so it’s beneficial to explore a mix of fiction, nonfiction and journalism to maximise your exposure. Take the time to appreciate an author’s choice of vocabulary and how it evokes emotions and imagery. Embrace the challenge of tackling more complex texts that introduce unfamiliar words and phrases, as this will further expand your vocabulary and deepen your understanding.

Use A Word Journal

Word journaling is a highly effective method for memorising and actively integrating new vocabulary into everyday use. By recording new words and engaging with them, you can enhance retention and ensure these words become an active part of your linguistic repertoire. Setting a goal to use these words daily, whether in conversations or writing, helps reinforce their use. Creating flashcards can also be a useful tool for reviewing these words and memorising their definitions, making the process both interactive and productive.

Word Games

Word games offer an entertaining and engaging way to expand your vocabulary, allowing you to explore new words and test your knowledge. Board games and learning apps provide an ideal platform for this type of learning. Games like Scrabble, crossword puzzles and word searches are excellent for discovering new words in a structured format, helping you become familiar with unusual phrases and idiomatic expressions. Additionally, gamified learning apps provide an effective and enjoyable way to progress through small, manageable tasks, making it easier to track and monitor your vocabulary development.

Media For Vocabulary Building

Watching movies or listening to podcasts and audiobooks is an effective way to learn new words and phrases in context. It allows you to see language in real-life situations, providing a deeper understanding of how words are used and the emotions they convey. Visual elements enhance memory retention, while audio sharpens pronunciation and listening skills. To maximise your vocabulary growth, explore a variety of genres, from formal dialogues to the casual slang of comedies, broadening your exposure to a diverse range of language styles.

The Rush That Shaped America

During the 19th century an intense search for gold swept America, shaping its economy, society and culture. Although it was estimated that $2 billion worth of gold wealth was accumulated during the period, its feverish pursuit was a high stakes and often harsh game. With fewer than one in five miners striking it rich, many were left in poverty. The period has been immortalised in American folklore, symbolising the American dream while laying the foundations for the nation’s future development.

The California Gold Rush

The California Gold Rush, spanning 1848 to 1855, triggered a massive influx of migrants to California, with thousands risking treacherous journeys in their pursuit of fortune. By its peak in 1852, an estimated 300,000 people had poured into the territory. The frenzy began with the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, which transformed the region into a bustling hub for prospectors known as “49ers.” However, the influx proved devastating for John Sutter, the land’s owner, as the chaotic boom disrupted his enterprises and led to his eventual bankruptcy.

Social And Cultural Impacts

The Gold Rush drew people from across the globe, including Europeans, Chinese and Latin Americans, creating a vibrant mix of cultures in California. However, this massive influx had devastating consequences for Native American populations. Many were forcibly displaced from their lands and the arrival of large numbers of migrants brought violence and infectious diseases, which significantly reduced Native populations and disrupted their way of life.

The Rush deepened economic disparities, as only a small elite became rich while the majority of miners struggled in poverty. Many settlements that sprang up during the period were abandoned as gold supplies dwindled. In contrast, some locations like San Francisco thrived, with diverse populations driven by the influx of migrants and opportunities.

Economic Impact

California’s economy experienced rapid growth during the Gold Rush as it transitioned from a primarily agricultural economy to one centred around gold. This economic shift led to a significant demand on goods and services, sparking a boom in local businesses. The influx of miners and prospectors sparked the development of extensive infrastructure and by 1850, California had achieved statehood.

As the era progressed, mining techniques advanced, introducing methods such as hydraulic mining, which increased extraction efficiency. The vast wealth generated not only fuelled local development but also provided the U.S. government with resources to fund infrastructure projects across the nation, leaving a lasting impact on America’s economic and physical landscape.

Environmental Impact

The rapid expansion of mining operations during the Gold Rush came at a significant environmental cost. Vast areas of forest and natural habitats were cleared to support infrastructure development. Hydraulic mining techniques used powerful jets of pressurised water to dislodge gold from sediment. While effective in gold extraction, it wreaked havoc on the environment, causing severe soil erosion, destabilising hillsides, and depositing massive amounts of sediment into rivers. These changes led to altered river flows, flooding and the destruction of aquatic habitats.
Furthermore, mercury played a crucial role in gold processing, as it was used to separate gold from ore. However, this practice had dire consequences for waterways. Mercury contamination from the Gold Rush era persists today in some Californian rivers and ecosystems, posing ongoing environmental and health risks.

Mental health is a crucial aspect of our overall well-being, which is gaining increasing recognition in today’s world. However, it remains deeply shaped by social expectations and cultural norms. Sociology provides valuable insights into how individuals experience mental health stigma and access treatment, offering opportunities to address these challenges across diverse societies.

For instance, cultural differences influence how depression is expressed: in Western societies, it is often understood as a psychological or emotional condition, whereas in countries like China and India, depression is frequently conveyed through physical symptoms, such as stomach pain or fatigue.

The Impact Of Societal Expectations

Socioeconomic status, race, gender and cultural values significantly impact mental health experiences. Marginalised groups often face heightened mental health challenges due to systemic inequalities and discrimination, compounding their struggles and limiting access to appropriate care. Traditional expectations can also pressure men to suppress emotions and avoid seeking help, while women face harsher judgment for expressing anger or frustration.

Historically, mental health issues in many societies have been viewed as moral failings or signs of weakness. These perceptions foster stigmas, making individuals reluctant to seek help while influencing the treatments deemed acceptable or effective. The media plays a powerful role in perpetuating these stigmas. Negative portrayals of individuals with mental health issues – such as stereotypes of violence or unpredictability in films and news outlets – reinforce harmful attitudes.

Societal Norms And Treatment Approaches

For much of the 20th and 21st centuries, Western societies have viewed mental health primarily as a physiological condition. This has led to an emphasis on medical treatments and clinical therapies, such as medication, which often prioritise symptom relief over understanding the emotional, social and environmental factors contributing to the individual’s condition.

In contrast, many Indigenous and non-Western cultures, such as the Aboriginal people, view mental health as a reflection of a deeper spiritual or communal imbalance. In these societies, traditional healing practices, such as rituals, ceremonies and spiritual guidance, are used to restore harmony and balance. These approaches see mental health not just as an individual issue but as something that is interconnected with the community and the environment.

Challenging Stigmas

Public awareness campaigns and mental health professionals are increasingly working to foster a compassionate and positive view of mental health issues, both in the workplace and in our personal lives. These efforts aim to challenge harmful stereotypes and create a supportive narrative that empowers individuals to seek help without fear of judgment.

Initiatives like the UK’s Time to Change campaign have encouraged public figures to share their personal stories and promote open discussions. Additionally, mental health education in schools and workplaces has played a key role in normalising mental health. These initiatives help ensure that people are equipped with vital support systems and resources to help raise awareness and enhance the capacity to assist those in need.

The speed of evolution can be defined as the number of generations required for an initially random population to reach a specific evolutionary target or adapt to a defined goal. There are a number of factors that affect the speed of evolution, and many do not act in isolation. New research suggests that the speed of evolution is actually taking place up to four times faster than previously thought.

Genetic Variation

Mutation rates, gene flow and sexual reproduction are just some of the genetic factors that affect the speed of evolution. Mutations are often key to introducing new genetic variations that lead to different organism traits. If these traits prove to be advantageous, natural selection can help those organisms to proliferate. Gene flow – the exchange of genetic material between diverse populations, often facilitated by migration and reproduction – further increases adaption to changing environments.

An example can be seen in the peppered moth, which exists in both light and dark colours due to a genetic mutation. During the Industrial Revolution, increased pollution darkened the trees in surrounding areas, giving a distinct advantage to the dark-coloured moths with the mutation, which then became more common in the population.

Population Size

Small populations, which can result from environmental constraints or natural disasters, are often subject to evolutionary disadvantages. Genetic drift – a concept where genetic material is passed on by chance as opposed to natural selection – plays a larger role in smaller populations. Harmful materials are also more likely to be passed on through inbreeding, however, with smaller groups more likely to experience faster evolutionary changes.

Around 10,000 years ago, cheetahs experienced a population bottleneck which reduced their genetic diversity and gave rise to genetic drift. Today, cheetahs experience low genetic diversity, which have given rise to genetic defects and reduced fertility.

In larger populations, genetic drift plays a less significant function, as natural selection takes on a more dominant role. Larger populations tend to act as a larger repository of genetic diversity, which can enhance adaptability, although the rate of evolution is far slower due to greater genetic dilution.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors play a key role in the rate of evolution. Stable environments tend to result in slower rates of evolution due to less pressure to adapt, while fluctuating environments often drive rapid change in order to promote survival. Crocodiles have existed for over 200 millions years but have physically remained largely unchanged. Small changes in their river environments, temperature and food availability have led to a fairly consistence genetic diversity.

Coevolution is another key factor, often observed in predator-prey dynamics. In these interactions, evolutionary “arms races” occur, with each species rapidly evolving in response to the other. Additionally, human intervention has artificially accelerated evolutionary traits through selective breeding.

The term “Mesopotamian Empire” refers to a series of civilizations and empires that emerged in Mesopotamia roughly between 3000 BCE and 500 BCE. It is an ancient region located in the fertile area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, corresponding to modern-day Iraq and parts of Syria, Turkey, and Iran.

The Mesopotamian Empire is particularly significant because it is often referred to as the “cradle of civilization.” It was home to some of the earliest human settlements, thanks to its fertile soil and access to water, which were made possible by its prime location between two rivers (In fact, Mesopotamia literally means “land between two rivers.”).

Mesopotamians developed some of the first cities, writing systems (cuneiform), laws (the Code of Hammurabi), and made advances in mathematics, astronomy, and architecture. Over the course of several millennia, Mesopotamia saw the rise of four major empires: the Sumerians (c. 3100–2000 BCE), the Akkadian Empire (c. 2334–2154 BCE), the Babylonian Empire (c. 1894–1595 BCE), the Assyrian Empire (c. 2500–609 BCE), and the Neo-Babylonian Empire (c. 626–539 BCE). This raises the obvious question: why did the empire fall?

A Fallen Empire

The Mesopotamian Empire did not fall due to a single catastrophic event, such as a conquest or meteorite strike. Rather, it declined because of a combination of factors that evolved over several centuries.

Continuous Invasion Attempts

Being a resource-rich civilization, Mesopotamia faced nearly constant invasions from external forces such as the Amorites, Hittites, and eventually the Persians, who sought to conquer the region. These invasions weakened the empire, leading to political instability. The Assyrian Empire is thought to have eventually succumbed to relentless invasion attempts, which affected the entire region.

Political Fragmentation

Political fragmentation further contributed to the empire’s decline. The city-states that made up the Mesopotamian Empire began competing for dominance, leading to internal power struggles. This hindered cooperation and even led to civil wars, weakening the overall structure of the empire.

Soil Salinization

Environmental challenges also played a critical role in the empire’s downfall. Prolonged irrigation without proper drainage led to salt buildup in the soil, reducing agricultural productivity. This diminished the food supply and destabilized the economy. There were three significant episodes of salt salinization in Mesopotamia: in southern Iraq from 2400 BCE until at least 1700 BCE, a milder episode in central Iraq between 1200 BCE and 900 BCE, and salinization east of Baghdad after 1200 CE.

Research by institutions such as the University College London (UCL) and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research strongly suggests that soil salinization was a key factor in the decline of the Mesopotamian Empire. Other civilizations, such as the Virú Valley of Peru, also declined due to soil salinization, supporting this hypothesis.

The Rise Of Neighbouring Empires

The emergence of neighbouring empires, such as the Persians to the east and the Egyptians to the southwest, further overshadowed Mesopotamia’s declining power. These empires were able to exploit Mesopotamia’s waning influence, contributing to its fall.

As Mesopotamian territories were conquered by successive empires, their culture, religion, and administrative practices were absorbed into the conquering civilizations. This gradual assimilation diminished Mesopotamia’s distinct identity as an independent power.

Learning from home can be a big adjustment after time spent in public schooling. Every family has a different reasoning for exploring home schooling as an option, too, and each has a different experience of it.

After all, these changes aren’t just about preferential treatment anymore. Sometimes, the case for homeschooling can be as important as protecting a child and their well-being. Whatever your situation might be, there could be ways to make the change easier on you.

So, how can you better transition from school to home school? We’ve provided a few tips below that might help.

Know Your Circumstances

Jumping from one experience into another goes more smoothly when you have a better idea of what you’re in for. It’s impossible to map everything for an experience you haven’t had yet, but you can set some standards.

Have an open discussion with your parents if you haven’t already. Make notes on the information they share with you. A few questions you can ask and answer together are:

  • Will I follow the national curriculum, or a different one?
  • Are we going to spend more time together, and how might that change things?
  • Which services and resources will I use for learning and tutoring?
  • What time window will I be studying in?
  • Is the home school arrangement permanent or temporary?
  • Can I receive any help for any anxiety I might be feeling?

You can also set personal expectations of yourself. Expect that you won’t use television, video game consoles, or your smartphone all day just because you’ll be home. The sooner you come to terms with that, the better!

Explore Social Media

Many people roll their eyes at the mention of influencers. However, if you do want an insight into the homeschooling lifestyle ahead of time, it may be a good idea to seek a few out!

Obviously, reputable sources matter greatly here. Not every influencer is to be heeded. The most reputable influencers will acknowledge their own set of circumstances and have a good head on their shoulders. They’ll seek to keep you informed, rather than ‘look cool’.

Furthermore, not all websites are safe, either. So, even if you find a homeschooling content creator you like, double-check that they’re posting content on a reputable platform.

There are also Facebook groups for homeschooled kids in local areas. They are usually run by a community of parents. You and your parents could see if there’s one for your area and try to connect with your peers. Perhaps you’ll make new friends, get recommendations for suppliers and resources, and get a better sense of what to expect.

Be Kind To Yourself

It’s not guaranteed that you’ll feel like you’ve landed on your feet during the first day, week, or potentially even month of home schooling. There’s a lot to account for and acclimatise too.

However, you can be kind to yourself. Just because there may be some struggle here and there, it doesn’t mean homeschooling isn’t for you. It’s not uncommon to fear change in any context, so give yourself the time to push through that feeling if you’re experiencing it.

Learn your rhythm. The entirety of your routine is about to change, but with homeschooling, there may be more room for flexibility when it comes to start times and the duration and frequency of breaks between study. If homeschooling doesn’t come easy at first, stay hopeful, and patiently work with your family to find out which learning strategies work best for you.