How to balance study and life during the holidays
While keeping on top of study during the Christmas break is important, you should also enjoy time off. Try our suggestions to achieve the right balance.
Create a study plan
Plan what you need to study and when during your holidays. Laying this out at the beginning will help you to determine how much time to spend studying and how much time you’ll then have to relax. This will be a necessary step towards achieving balance while you're not at school.
Prioritise topics by how well you know them
You can decide which topics require more attention than others when you have a plan. You’ll know some topics better than others, so you should allocate your time accordingly. Establishing which topics require more attention will help you to use your study time effectively, leaving you feeling satisfied and able to enjoy your time off.
Be flexible with your study plan
A study plan will give you structure and routine during the holidays. But you’ll need to keep in mind the changes that can occur during the holiday season. You may be more motivated on some days than others. Family members may arrive for an unscheduled visit. Ensure your study schedule is flexible enough to accommodate for any such changes, so you’re not thrown off and stressed about the change.
Review your study plan
Part of having a flexible study plan is to evaluate how it’s going. You should have an idea of how effective your plan is after a few days, whether it’s aligned with how you study best, and if there are any changes that need to be made. This will ensure that you’re maintaining a healthy balance of work and rest.
Have a to-be list
In contrast to a to-do list, a to-be list focuses on what you want to become and will help you to formulate a list of what you want to achieve. It’s a reminder of the person you want to be, and how setting time aside to study will drive this. Write this each morning to set you up for the day, stay motivated, and achieve balance.
Have a space for study at home
Choose a designated study space. It could be at your desk, a lounge table, or in your parent’s home office. Having a consistent place of study will train your brain to know that when you’re there, you’re in study mode and you need to focus.
It’s ok to have a couple of study spaces if you like to move around. But ensure you only use these spaces for study. For example, if you study in bed, you’ll train your brain to associate being in bed with an active study brain. When bedtime comes, you’ll struggle to fall asleep and you’ll impair your sleep routine – negatively affecting your mood, concentration and focus the next day.
Make sleep a priority
No balance can be achieved without sufficient sleep. Sleep is integral to your overall health and wellbeing. You’ll find it difficult to focus, achieve your study goals, and enjoy your time off after a lack of sleep. Create your study plan with the importance of sleep in mind, prioritising 8–9 hours each night.
Don’t compare
Comparison’s the thief of joy. Your friends may have different study plans than you and may spend more or fewer hours studying and relaxing each day than you. But they’re not you. Only you’ll know how to achieve your balance of study and life.
Do ask friends for advice on how they’re achieving balance, but don’t feel compelled to copy what they’re doing. Learn what works best for you. After all, there's only one version of you.
Related articles
Four reasons to study Medical Technology &...
There are many reasons to study Medical Technology & Bioengineering. Explore four of the...
Five reasons to study Climate Change
If you’re considering a degree in Climate Change, we've got five compelling reasons to...