5 Ways to Stay on Track During the Holidays

November 9, 2020 12:48pm

Winter is a joyous time to celebrate the holidays and spend more time with the people you love. It’s also a nice time to take a much needed breather from school, especially if you are a non-traditional learner working to balance family, career, and online courses. And while you have certainly earned the rest, there are a few steps you might want to take to assure you stay on track with your academic progress and don’t fall behind while enjoying your time away.

Plan ahead

Whether you plan to take a course immediately following your holiday break or if you plan to take an academic session or two off, you should still take the time to map out what you need to take care of in order to stay on track in class and be successful. If you are taking a class right after the break ends, check with your advisor before the winter break to make sure you are enrolled in the right class, are aware of the class start date, and have all of your materials purchased. If you have your books and materials, take a look at them as your schedule allows to get a little familiar with what you will be covering. If you are taking a session or more off following your winter recess, be sure you are planning for the next session so you don’t miss important dates or enrollment deadlines. And if you can purchase your materials for the class, it’s never a bad idea to have those ahead of time so you are ready to go when classes resume.

Maintain a good sleep schedule

Between late night office parties and back-to-back get-togethers, holiday celebrations can wreak havoc on your REM. Do what you can to continue getting the amount of sleep your body requires to keep up with your schedule and maintain focus. You don’t want to return to class more tired than when you left.

Stick with your fitness regime

Though the holidays will undoubtedly have you consuming more calories and forcing you to step out of your daily routine, exercise when you can. Not only will your physical health thank you – your mental health will benefit as well. Sticking to your exercise routine can also assist with your sleep schedule. If you can’t find time to hit the gym, don’t worry. You can step outside for a quick walk (weather permitting) or check out a wide variety of FREE workout videos available online. The bottom line is to keep moving. Once classes resume, you’ll be glad you did.

Stay connected (loosely)

While it’s important to unwind and disconnect on your academic break, it’s also a good idea to check in on emails, text messages, and other correspondence with your school and advisor. You could miss out on crucial updates and announcements regarding your upcoming classes if you don’t stay in touch. It’s wise to check your personal and school email accounts a couple times a week. And if you aren’t already following your school on social media, do! That’s a great place to remain connected.

Enjoy the break

Last but NEVER least – enjoy yourself! Take your time off and relax as much as you can. Don’t feel like you have to fill all of your free time with activities and chores you rarely find time for. Balancing work, family obligations, and academics is no small task – no matter how great you are at time management. According to the Fall 2018 National College Health Assessment by the American College Health Association, 63% of U.S. college students reported feeling overwhelming anxiety in the previous year. Stress and anxiety can negatively impact your performance in the classroom. If you are able, take a little time off work as well, hang out in your sweatpants, curl up with a good book, and enjoy the absence of a few of your normal obligations. You’ve earned it!