Reading time: three minutes

The cold has set in, the days are shorter and the city is decked out with pretty lights – it’s almost time for the holidays! 

I’m sure many of you are anxiously awaiting the end of the first semester to catch a break from the piles of reading and the rushing to class at 9:00am, but if you’re anything like me then you probably have plenty of work to catch up on over the break or assignments to complete. If you’re feeling burnt out or overwhelmed, don’t worry. Keep reading for my advice on how you can catch up on work and still take a break from your studies during the holidays!

1. Write down everything you need to do

Whether it’s buying gifts or completing assignments, make a long list of everything you need to get done over the break. It may seem overwhelming, but it helps to visualise your task list. Plus, the feeling of crossing things off your to-do list is unmatched! 

Make sure you include deadlines for any time-sensitive tasks. If you want, you can rewrite your list and order the tasks according to priority – it may make it easier to schedule it out in the next step.

2. Schedule out the tasks

I personally don’t like to create a daily or hourly schedule of tasks, but I do use a weekly to-do list. I like the flexibility of choosing what I do on any given day. This approach may not work for you, so if you want to schedule out a daily or hourly task list, feel free. Adopt the approach that works best for you!

3. Put in some rest days

Schedule in as many rest days as you can, depending on the amount of work you need to do. As a rule of thumb, I try to have at least two days off a week, but the more the merrier! This is very much a judgement call – maybe you have a holiday booked and need to take a whole week off. Work around your plans, there’s no one size fits all.

4. Plan some activities with friends

It’s the holidays, so try to enjoy yourself!  If you aren’t travelling, contact some friends and schedule activities. Whether it’s a shopping trip or an evening of mini golf, it’s important to find some ways to enjoy yourself. I know how hard it can be to see friends during term time, so use the break to catch up with your loved ones. Wherever you live, e, I’m sure there are plenty of Christmas-related events happening, so go check them out!

5. Don’t stress

It can be overwhelming to have mountains of work to complete when you’re supposed to be on a break, but stressing isn’t going to do you any good. If you plan carefully and work smart, you’ll be able to get all your work done and still have a lovely time over the holidays. Take care of your mental health, make sure you get enough sleep and be disciplined in your approach.