An involuntary break from CPod

lunetta
February 12, 2008, 11:08 AM posted in General Discussion
Between starting a new job and my computer breaking down I was unable to study any Chinese for all of last week. Now, not only do I discover that I'm missing out on a chance to win Dave's Love but I'm also finding it very hard to get back into my studies. Some of you have told how you've benefitted from taking a break once in a while but I'm just feeling very confused and a bit overwhelmed by all the things I feel the need to catch up on. Has any of you had this experience as well and what did you do to get back into the studies?
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frank
February 12, 2008, 11:11 AM

I usually adopt a "fake it 'til you make it" attitude. I do the same things I used to do until it feels natural again. Good luck and welcome back!

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AuntySue
February 12, 2008, 11:18 AM

Yeah, just take another week, get yourself sorted out and fully healed from your traumas, then you'll be ready to jump back in. Of course, during that week you can listen to all of the podcasts you've missed and the new ones that come out, but do it for pleasure, don't expect to study until your life and head are ready. It won't take long. Changing job is a bigger upheaval than we often realise, even if it's good and exciting. You don't want your studies to get messed up with that turmoil going on in your head! You'll get back to serious study when you can't bear to go another day without it. Real soon now. When you get back to it, don't try to "catch up", just cut your losses and jump back into where it's at now. After all, you've listened for pleasure to everything during the extra week, so you know all the juicy news. Well, at least it works that way for me.

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AuntySue
February 12, 2008, 11:20 AM

...and don't forget, while you listen you can get plenty of knitting therapy! It works, honest.

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lunetta
February 12, 2008, 11:23 AM

LOL, knitting therapy is the best!

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wei1xiao4
February 12, 2008, 12:52 PM

Glad you are back. Lots of us were away for Chinese New Year, so don't worry.

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calkins
February 12, 2008, 03:43 PM

No worries, that's the beauty of ChinesePod...."It's Mandarin on your terms."

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rich
February 12, 2008, 04:24 PM

hey, that's a catchy phrase... ChinesePod should adopt it... oh.. wait.....

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lunetta
February 13, 2008, 09:07 AM

Thanks to everybody for the advice and the encouragement! That's one of the best things about CPod, you can always rely on the community!

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bazza
February 13, 2008, 09:34 AM

Ironically the only break I've had from CPod was when I was in Shanghai.

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sebire
February 13, 2008, 01:18 PM

Oh dear, I have a six month break pending. Saying that, I've been an intermittent Chinesepod user over the past couple of years, and only have been using it regularly since I've stopped being a scabby student, and what I usually find is that the content has improved every time I return, so it's all good!