Purple book titled "The Return to Study Handbook" with yellow design elements on the cover, authored by Chloe Burroughs, with additional text about study skills for mature, distance, and workplace learners.

I literally wrote the book on it…

The Return To Study Handbook

The study guide I wish someone had given me before I went back to higher education.

Whether you’re returning to education after years (or decades) away, balancing studying with work and real life, or simply wondering how the hell to do higher education well, the Return to Study Handbook will show you exactly where to start.

Available from booksellers worldwide in paperback and ebook.

Bookshop.org

Waterstones

Amazon UK

Kogan Page

Hive UK

Amazon.com

This book is for you if…

you’re returning to education after time away
you’re studying alongside work, family or real-life responsibilities
you feel overwhelmed by how much there is to juggle
you’re unsure how to actually study at university level
you want simple, practical strategies, not fluffy motivation
you’re determined to do well, but need a clearer plan

Chloe working on an iMac computer with a wireless keyboard at a wooden desk. There is a purple study guide titled "The Return to Study Handbook" on the desk, along with various office supplies and decorative items in the background.

How to get the most from this book

Dip into the sections most relevant to where you’re struggling right now, experiment with the strategies and then keep this book close to hand to come back to throughout your qualification.

The Return to Study Handbook is designed to be practical. You’re not going to read pages and pages and still have no idea what to do differently. Throughout the book you’ll find exercises and prompts and step-by-step guidance for simple, effective study techniques to try. And each chapter includes action steps that will help make your studying more strategic and sustainable.

Grab Your Copy

Take a peek

Page from the Return to Study Handbook discussing independent learning and the importance of student responsibility, with a section titled 'Sink or swim' about learning to swim independently.

A page from the Return to Study Handbook discussing motivation, specifically about one-day motivation as a part of studying and goal achievement.

Diagram titled 'My one day motivation' with phrases connected in a radial pattern, including 'Prove to myself I could do it,' 'Get over my disappointing sixth form grades,' 'Create opportunities in my career,' 'Learn about business,' 'Be a part of th

A textbook page titled 'Exam Preparation' with sections on identifying exam overlap, keeping revision materials separate, and core revision activities. The page includes a circular diagram illustrating the revision process with steps: create revision

A page from the Return to Study Handbook on notetaking with a mind map illustrating key concepts, themes, relationships, and applications related to central ideas and theories.

This page from the Return to Study Handbook provides tips for creating effective 'no excuse' study tasks, including organising files, making task lists, reviewing notes, and using flashcards.

Page from the Return to Study Handbook showing section headers, numbered list for essay sections, and instructions for writing an essay.

A black-and-white line graph illustrating spaced repetition and memory retention over days, showing a decreasing curve with reminders at intervals to illustrate the forgetting curve and improved memorization with repetitions.

Chloe sitting on a bed with gray bedding, smiling, holding a book, and a black dog lying beside her.

Inside, we’ll cover:

How to prepare for higher education – and what it means to be an independent learner (because no one really explains this part!)
How to study successfully alongside real life, and why being a “non-traditional” student is actually a strength
How to overcome self-doubt, mindset wobbles and the little voice telling you you’re “not academic enough”
What to do when motivation disappears, procrastination kicks in or you just really don’t feel like studying
How to organise your time, tasks and study materials so you can ditch overwhelm, feel calmer and stay on track more easily
Productivity and time-management strategies that help you balance studying with work and real life – so you can make progress and actually have some evenings off
Practical reading and note taking strategies so you can save time and actually remember what matters
Essay writing and critical thinking skills – from planning and structure to writing, editing and developing stronger arguments
Exam preparation and performance strategies – so you know how to revise effectively, feel more confident and give yourself the best chance of success on the day
Simple ways to keep improving throughout your qualification – so you can achieve grades you’re genuinely proud of

Chloe sitting on a bed with a black dog beside her, reading her Return to Study Handbook.

Why I wrote this book

Years ago, I almost failed out of education and I genuinely believed that struggling meant I wasn’t smart enough to continue into higher education.

But when I eventually returned to study while working full time, I realised something pretty huge.

I didn’t have a motivation problem. And it wasn’t that I was “not academic enough.”

I had a strategy problem – as do most adult learners.

I’d never really been taught how to learn effectively and then how to demonstrate that learning in the way that the course requires.

This book is everything I wish someone had taught me sooner and it’s going to help you realise it IS possible to balance your qualification with real life – if you learn some better strategies.

What readers say

Review for the Return to Study Handbook, with a five-star rating and user commentary about studying history at university, and the book helping greatly at brushing away worries they faced.

Review for the Return to Study Handbook. The review includes a five-star rating, detailed positive comments about the book and its impact including being "invaluable for students of any age".

Customer review of the Return to Study handbook, highlighting its helpful tips and benefits for students.

Ready to go deeper?

If you love the book and are looking for more personalised support, check out:

Academic Game Plan

1-on-1 support to show you how to study strategically and sustainably for your course, learning style and schedule, so you can make the most of your time.
You’ve got the motivation, you’re willing to put in the effort, but you’re just not sure you’re studying in the right way.
Ditch inefficient studying and worrying you won’t pass or get the results you need. And let me create your personalised Academic Game Plan.

Let's work together
Qualification Basecamp

Strategic study support for adults balancing studying with real life.
An all-in-one academic support programme to help you study strategically and finish your qualification successfully – without sacrificing every evening and weekend.
Whether you’re studying for a degree, professional qualification, certification or exam, Qualification Basecamp will help you navigate your course confidently and get the results you need for your next career or life move.

Join the waitlist