TOP 3 TIPS on How to Transition to Student Mode

Summer's officially over and it's time to swap those 2pm wake-ups for 9am lectures (ouch). If you're feeling a bit rusty about getting back into the swing of things, you're definitely not alone. Here are three game-changing approaches to make this transition way less painful.

1. Start Your Prep Game Early (Like, Right Now)

I cannot stress this enough – don't wait until freshers' week to flip that switch back to "student mode." Your brain has been in holiday chill mode for months, and expecting it to suddenly handle complex readings and early morning seminars is like asking someone to run a marathon after spending summer on the sofa.

Start waking up earlier at least a week before term begins. I'm not saying go full 7am immediately – that's just setting yourself up to fail. Try pushing your wake-up time back by 30 minutes every couple of days. If you've been getting up at midday, aim for 11:30, then 11, then 10:30. Baby steps, but it makes such a difference.

Get your brain working again too. Read something that actually requires concentration – not just scrolling TikTok (we've all been there). Pick up a book, do a crossword, watch a documentary, or even just read some articles related to your course. Think of it as brain warm-ups before the real workout begins.

Sort out your sleep schedule while you're at it. That means actually having a bedtime routine that doesn't involve staring at your phone until 3am. Your future self trying to stay awake in that 9am lecture will thank you massively.

2. Get Your Money Mindset Sorted

Let's be real – finances are probably stressing you out right now. Four in five students admit that money worries are causing them significant stress, and with everything getting more expensive, it's no wonder so many of us are feeling the pinch.

But here's the thing – panicking about money without a plan just makes everything worse. Take a proper look at your finances before you're back on campus and already spending. Work out what's coming in (student loan, part-time job, family help) and what absolutely has to go out (rent, food, course materials). Yes, it might be a bit grim, but knowing where you stand is way better than that constant low-level anxiety about whether you can afford that coffee.

Look into what support your uni offers. Most universities have hardship funds, food banks, or emergency support that students don't even know about. There's no shame in using these resources – they exist specifically because universities know students are struggling financially right now.

Plan some free or cheap fun too. University social life doesn't have to bankrupt you. House parties, free societies, campus events, walks with friends – there are loads of ways to have a good time without spending money you don't have. Make a list of budget-friendly activities so when you're feeling social but skint, you've got options ready.

3. Reset Your Mindset (Because Summer Brain is Real)

The mental shift from "holiday mode" to "student mode" is honestly one of the hardest parts of going back. You've spent months with minimal responsibility, and suddenly you're expected to care about essay deadlines and reading lists again.

First, acknowledge that it's completely normal to feel unmotivated right now. Jumping straight into a packed academic schedule can feel overwhelming after flexible summer days, and that weird mix of excitement and dread you're feeling? Everyone's got it.

Set some realistic expectations for yourself. You're not going to be operating at 100% productivity from day one, and that's fine. Plan for a gradual ramp-up rather than expecting to hit the ground running. Maybe aim for getting 70% of your reading done in the first few weeks rather than stressing about being perfect from the start.

Create something to look forward to. Whether that's reconnecting with uni friends, joining a new society, or just having your own space back in halls, focus on the positives. Make a list of things you're actually excited about returning to – it helps balance out all the stuff you're dreading.

Remember that everyone else is in exactly the same boat. That person who looks like they've got everything together? They probably spent yesterday googling "how to be a functional student again" just like you did. We're all figuring it out as we go, and that's part of the uni experience.

The transition back doesn't have to be perfect – it just needs to happen. Be patient with yourself, start the prep work early, and trust that student-you will emerge from summer hibernation soon enough.

Madeleine x

Source: Forbes - found that 81% of students report financial stress as a significant concern.