The winter break is meant to be a time to rest, recharge and switch off. But with January exams and deadlines approaching, we know you might feel torn between enjoying the holidays and keeping up with your work.
The good news? You can take meaningful time off and stay on track. In fact, proper rest helps you learn more effectively, feel calmer, and return in January better prepared.
1) Make rest part of the plan (not an afterthought)
Rest isn’t optional — your brain needs breaks to learn well.
- 🧠 Breaks improve memory: The brain consolidates information during rest, not while actively studying.
- 🔄 Breaks reset focus: Long study sessions drain attention; short breaks restore concentration.
- 😌 Rest reduces stress: Lower stress improves memory, motivation and decision-making.
- 🔥 Downtime prevents burnout: Regular rest keeps revision sustainable.
To make rest effective, include it intentionally in your schedule and let yourself enjoy it without guilt. Why not try some of these:
- Put study materials out of sight.
- Turn off notifications.
- Take full days off.
- Do things that genuinely relax you: sleep, fresh air, hobbies, time with supportive people, or screen-free moments.
Find what works for you.
2) Build a flexible, realistic study plan
Start by mapping out your January deadlines and exams. You don’t need a strict timetable — flexibility reduces stress and helps you adapt to holiday routines.
Try:
- Weekly goals, not daily ones: This lets you work around family plans, travel, job shifts or social events
- Short, focused study sessions: Manageable blocks instead of long study days.
- Prioritising high-impact tasks: Ask: What would make January feel calmer? Begin there.
Small tweaks can make your study time far more efficient, some good examples include
3) Study smarter, not harder
There are so many different learning techniques, it might be worth trying something new to see if it helps you. You could try:
- Pomodoro method: 25 minutes work + 5 minutes break and repeat (for however long your study session is)
- Daily Top 3 tasks: Avoids overwhelm.
- Try Active recall techniques.
Check out the Strategies for effective learning from the My Learning Essentials for more hints and tips.
4) Set Realistic Expectations
Studying over the holidays doesn’t have to look perfect. Some days will go better than others. That’s normal.
Remember:
- Doing something is better than doing everything.
- Missing a session isn’t a disaster.
- Real rest makes your next study session more effective.
- You’re allowed (and expected!) to take breaks.
Remember, there’s support if you need it
You’re not expected to manage everything alone. University support continues over the break, including:
- Library services: If you’re on campus, check out the opening hours of library sites, and if you’re not (or don’t want to go to campus) check out all the online resources available.
- Wellbeing resources on the Student Support website.
- Spectrum Health: Mental health support helpline and app available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Qwell: Online support available 24 hours a day
You deserve a break — and your brain needs one. With a little planning, you can rest well, enjoy the season, and still feel ready for January.