We get it. The last thing you want to do during the festive season is study. But Studying During the Holidays doesn’t have to be a chore. Why not use the free time to your advantage? Learn how to find a balance between work and play right here!
Tips on Studying During the Holidays
The holidays are usually associated with fun and excitement. It’s the best time of the year as you get to spend it with friends and family. If you’re dreading your holiday study time, use these tips as a guide to help you make things a little easier.
Create a Schedule
Planning is everything. This is especially true when it comes to studying during the holidays. Creating and sticking to a schedule will help you stay on track with your studies. Make sure that your schedule includes breaks as well.
Get Enough Sleep
You might look forward to nights where you can stay up late and visit with your friends. As fun as that can be, it’s important to keep in mind that you still need to rest. Instead of going out late, why not do something earlier in the day?
Attend Holiday Classes
A lot of schools offer extra classes during the holidays or on weekends, especially if you are a matric student. Make sure you find out when and where, and attend those classes. You could even get together with friends and create your own classes or study group.
Ask for Help
Let friends and family know that you will be taking time out of the festivities to study. Setting these expectations ahead of time will take some pressure off of you. It can also be helpful to have a friend or family member remind you about your study sessions.
Limit Distractions
Studying can be hard if there are various things around that can distract you. Your house might be a little busier or louder than usual during the festive season. Don’t even attempt to study in a room full of people. Rather find a calm and quiet environment away from noise and distractions.
How do I Stay Motivated While Studying During the Holidays?
The holiday season can be a hard time to get and stay motivated to study. Luckily, there are some tips and tricks to help you get some studying done and have fun in the process. Remind yourself that it will all be worth it in the end.
Set Reasonable Study Goals
Setting a goal for yourself at the start of a study session can act as a good motivator. But try to be realistic about it. Instead of setting aside an entire day to study, rather break your work into small chunks. If you study a few hours a day, you’ll still have time to spend with your family.
Take Regular Breaks
Spending long periods of time studying can be counter-productive. If you want to increase your focus, you need to take breaks every few hours. This will keep your brain alert and avoid burnout.
Reward Yourself
Studying can be hard work and that’s reason enough to reward yourself. Whether it’s at the end of the day, week or a difficult chapter, celebrate it. Decorate the Christmas tree with your family, go watch a movie with your friends or simply enjoy a sweet treat.
Combine Learning With Your Interests
Do you love listening to music? Or playing games? Try to find ways to combine the things you love doing with your studies. This adds an element of fun to something you normally have a hard time focusing on.
Keep the end Goal in Mind
Before you start your studies, it’s important to figure out what exactly it is you want to accomplish. Write down your goals and display them somewhere you can easily see. You can also add motivational quotes to help you power through when things get tough.
When is the Best Time to Study?
Figuring out what the best time for you to study takes some patience and practice. Some people prefer early mornings, while others tend to focus better during the night. Take a look at some of the benefits each time of the day offers.
Morning – Most people think that morning is the best time to study as our brains tend to be the sharpest after a good night’s rest. The natural light also helps keep you alert.
Afternoon – Students are usually able to make connections and learn new information during this time of the day. It also makes things you already learnt easier to remember.
Evening – While some people prefer mornings or afternoons, there are others who have more energy later in the day. It offers less distractions and more peace and quiet to learn.
How do I Find the Best Time to Study?
There is no right or wrong time to study. It all depends on what time of the day works best for you. Some things you should consider includes the following:
- When are you most alert?
- What time of the day has less distractions?
- Can you study at that time consistently?
Why Should I Study During the Holidays?
Is studying during the holidays really worth it? While hitting the books during the festive season doesn’t sound like the most fun thing to do, it does have some advantages.
Keeping a Routine is Key
As a student, you have already established some form of a routine. Sticking to this routine during the holidays can make it easier for you to manage your studies when you go back.
Your Brain Isn’t on Holiday
Your brain is a muscle and like all muscles, it needs constant activity to perform well. This is why it’s important to do some studying during the holidays. Your brain will be ready for the new year.
Get Prepared for the New Term
Why not get a head start on your studies? There’s no better feeling than knowing you are ready and prepared for the new term or year.
There’s no Pressure to Learn
With no time limit to pressure you, it’s the best chance you have of learning something new. Explore subjects that interest you by doing a short course.
Don’t let Studying During the Holidays get you Down!
Interested in studying through distance learning? Take a look at our range of courses. Simply contact one of our friendly course experts by using one of the methods below:
- Call us for free on 0800 39 0027
- Complete our online contact form
