Never in a million years did I think I would put myself through another degree—let alone a medical degree. Yet, here I am in my late 20s, starting from scratch
on an osteopathy degree, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. How I got here is a story for another day; life works in funny ways, but here we are!
Returning to study also meant rediscovering the mental load and stress that come with exams. I find myself getting much more worked up over assessments now
than I did in my earlier years of education. Perhaps it’s because I’ve finally found something I truly love, or perhaps I simply didn’t care as much back then (my
mother would certainly agree with the latter).
Juggling full-time work, family, a social life, and higher education has been a learning curve. If you are in a similar boat, here are the tips and strategies I’m
using to manage the load.

1. How to Study: The 50/10 Rule
To be completely honest, I had to learn how to study from scratch, as I don’t think I ever studied efficiently in the past. I had to re-train my brain to memorize
vast amounts of information and get used to complex Latin anatomy terms, which initially felt like learning a foreign language.
To get through it, I now use the 50/10 three-session routine:

• 50 minutes: Uninterrupted, deep concentration.
• 10 minutes: A dedicated break to step away and recharge.

That brief ten-minute break works wonders for resetting your focus!

2. Overcoming Overwhelm and Procrastination
At the beginning, I struggled with the sheer volume of anatomy and physiology we needed to cover. It’s easy to freeze up when you look at an entire syllabus at
once.

My best advice here is to take it one piece at a time—this applies to any subject. Try not to view the coursework as an insurmountable mountain, but rather as a
step-by-step journey. A tutor once told me, “No matter how unprepared you feel for the exams, just show up.” That simple piece of advice has always resonated
with me and kept me moving forward.

3. Prioritize Your Hobbies and Activities
Swimming is my therapy. When I initially became bogged down with coursework, I put my swimming routine on the back burner. Predictably, this made me
more anxious and stressed because I wasn’t getting my usual physical release.
Whether your outlet is reading, running, walking, cycling, or taking a sea dip and using the sauna, make sure to set aside time for the activities that give your
brain a break.

4. The Power of a Routine
It turns out there is real psychology behind a good routine! A structured routine provides a vital sense of predictability in a busy schedule.
Checking tasks off your list releases dopamine, giving you a sense of mastery and daily progress. Plus, when you know your set study hours are over, you can
relax without feeling guilty, which helps prevent chronic stress and burnout.

5. Invest in Your Physical and Mental Recovery
When you are constantly asking your brain and body to perform under pressure, rest cannot be passive—it needs to be restorative. Taking care of your physical
wellbeing is vital to combat fatigue and avoid burnout.
To help truly switch off, I highly recommend the restorative treatment packages we have to offer at Head to Toe Therapies, based locally on Lower O’Connell Street in Kinsale. Whether it is a combination of deeply relaxing massage or reflexology, their packages are tailored to release physical tension, reduce stress,
and allow both the brain and body to fully reset.

Practical Tips for Building a Study Routine
To wrap things up, here are three actionable tips to help you build and stick to a healthy study routine:

• Start small: Don’t try to study for 8 hours a day if you aren’t used to it. Begin with manageable 30-minute blocks and build up gradually.
• Be flexible, not rigid: If an emergency or a period of burnout occurs, allow yourself to adjust your routine without self-judgment.
• Reward yourself: Tie small rewards—like a short walk, a favourite snack, a few minutes of pure relaxation in our treatment rooms—to the completion
  of your study block to positively reinforce the habit loop.