December 18, 2019, by UoN School of English

How to Spend Your Christmas Holiday

With Christmas holidays coming up and assessments looming, many of you might be concerned with how best to spend the one-month break. Depending on your degree, you may be facing upcoming exams or coursework deadlines, in which case the holidays might look like a black hole of stress. Some of you may already be planning your schedule while subconsciously knowing that you will likely procrastinate starting your essays.

However, with all of this in mind, it is a good idea to start planning how best to spend the break, which might not be the same for everyone.

Family and friends

With work towards degrees occupying much of students’ time and attention, it is easy for our work-life balance fall apart. However, the holidays are a good opportunity to go home and spend time with friends and family. Regardless of religious belief or family traditions, this is the time of year to spend indoors, escaping the cold with loved ones. Use this opportunity to relax.

Travel

Another good way to unwind is to travel. With family, friends or flying solo, travel is always a good investment. Experiencing another culture might be the perfect way for you to de-stress and enjoy the break.

Holiday jobs

With a break from the regular routine of lectures and seminars, you might want to spend your spare time at a temporary job. Certain jobs, such as tutoring, are in greater demand at this time of year, and the money can go towards the next semester.

Work

While preaching the importance of relaxing, I understand the inevitability of university work. To use your holiday most productively, try your best to work efficiently. This involves planning ahead. For example, start thinking about books you might need to borrow from the library, or questions you might have for your tutors. Planning work now will make it easier for you over the holidays and relieve a lot of stress.

Revision

Even if you are not yet facing assessments, it is always a good idea to review your work from this semester. For year-long modules, revising now will help with exams later, and even with modules that end this semester, you might find that what you have learned will come in handy later on in your degree.

Nina Shasha is an English student at the University of Nottingham.

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