Things have probably changed since I learned at Dunstable in the mid 60's. I devoted nearly every Saturday and Sunday to gliding, started in November and went solo in March. I had previously done my A & B certificate with the ATC 10 years before that.
Actually, doing it during the Winter was great fun as the only people on the course were crazy, you had to be. To stand a reasonable chance of flying your 3 flights, you had to get there before 0645 hrs. At that time, 10 minutes made the difference between being in the first 5 or so and being 10th or more and maybe not flying if the weather changed. I actually went solo before 0800 and then enjoyed one of the best breakfasts ever. The practical jokes we played on new arrivals were great fun. I cannot remember one person not joining in the hard work and the fun.
Once the warmer weather arrived the team spirit eventually broke down as the fair weather students joined in. Luckily, having gone solo, I was a bit less dependent on them.