SUSTAINING MOMENTUM: KEEPING YOUR STUDY ABROAD DREAMS ALIVE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON

Dear Aspirant,

With the Christmas holiday fast approaching, I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits. Whether you're eagerly anticipating festive celebrations with friends and family or navigating the challenges that come with a change in pace, I believe it's essential for us, as members of the study to relocate email list, to stay focused on our dreams of relocating abroad through the study pathway.

As we approach this holiday season, I want to emphasize the importance of maintaining momentum in pursuit of our study abroad goals. Momentum, in simple terms, refers to the drive and enthusiasm to continue working towards a goal. Just like in a physical exercise routine, interruptions can disrupt our momentum, making it challenging to reach the finish line.

Throughout the year, you've dedicated time and effort to your study abroad goals—crafting your study abroad mission, perfecting your application documents, and exploring scholarship opportunities. To ensure the realization of your study abroad dreams, it's crucial to sustain the momentum you've built and avoid any interruptions that could derail your progress.

The Christmas break, while filled with joyous activities, can also pose a risk of distractions that might lead to a loss of momentum in pursuing your study abroad aspirations. It's essential to be mindful of these potential interruptions and take proactive steps to safeguard your focus.

Here are three key steps to help you navigate the holiday season without losing sight of your study abroad goals:

Set Realistic Expectations: Acknowledge that the holiday season comes with its own set of commitments and activities. There will be parties, visitation from family and friends etc. Set realistic expectations for yourself during this period, allowing for a balance between festive celebrations and your study abroad preparations. Remember that you must continue searching for scholarship opportunities, working on doing some background research to improve your study abroad mission or even taking some time to simply reflect on your passion story and long term plans, 2 key aspects of your Statement of Purpose. The work never stops until you have achieved study abroad success so keep up the pace but be realistic here. Slowing down does not mean coming to a complete stop!

Create a Holiday Study Plan: Allocate specific time slots during the holiday break dedicated to your study abroad endeavors. Whether it's revisiting your application materials, researching potential universities, or exploring additional scholarship opportunities, having a structured plan will help you stay on track. Based on my experience, I would suggest that you allocate 2 hours a day maximum to keep things going perhaps during the early hours of the morning when things are still quiet and the family is still in bed. Get up early and get the work done before things begin to get busy.

Stay Connected: Leverage the holiday season as an opportunity to connect with individuals who share similar goals. Reach out to your friends and family members that are on the same study abroad journey, share your experiences, and gain insights that can motivate and inspire you to persevere. Remember that during the festive season people generally are more generous. Who knows, you might get a tip from your long distance cousin that could land you full funding in Sweden by summer 2024!

Remember, your study abroad dreams are worth the effort, and by staying focused during the holiday season, you're setting yourself up for success in the coming year.

Wishing you a joyful and productive holiday season!

Best regards,

Zino Ojogbo

Your Study Abroad Guru