As a kid, when November and December rolled around, I grew so excited to see the decorations pop up in my neighborhood, flip through cookbook pages for new holiday recipes to try, listen as the radio stations started playing seasonal music and brainstorm personal gift ideas for my friends and family. However, as I got older and started taking more challenging classes, my favorite traditions got booted out for more time spent burying my nose into my textbooks. As a college student, I am aware of my responsibilities and commitments as the end of the semester comes to a close, but as I spend endless hours in the library and shove countless amounts of human physiology terms into my brain, I’ve found it very difficult to keep motivated to end the semester on a good note and celebrate the holidays like I used to.
However, to have both a successful finals week and a happy holiday, you must take time aside from your studying to allow yourself to have fun during festivities. Personally, I found the best way to have the best of both worlds is to uphold a 75-25 relationship with studying and celebrating: 75% of your attention goes towards your academics and finals week festivities, and 25% goes towards including a little holiday cheer into your busy schedule. Here is my list of how to make the most out of your holiday, without taking too much away from your successful semester so far.
Holiday Playlists: If you’re like me, you need background noise while studying or doing small homework assignments, so putting together a playlist with all of your favorite holiday songs will be the perfect way to implement celebration in your study routine. Personally, I listen to mine while I spend my evenings in the library, but I also listen to it while I walk to class or do chores around my apartment. Be your own main character in a holiday movie! If you are the type of student who only likes classical music to study, there are tons of playlists on Spotify and Apple Music of instrumental versions of our favorite holiday songs. The limits are endless!
Small Decorations: Being comfortable and relaxed in your apartment and bedroom can be one of the best ways to relieve anxiety and stress from the outside world, so why not make it a little festive? I found the best way to keep a little spirit in my hectic life is putting up simple decorations around my living room and bedroom. Whether that means getting a small Christmas tree to go on your bookshelf or having a holiday pillow rest on your bed, anything simple can be meaningful! You can go all out, or keep it tame, whatever gets you in the spirit is best!
Festive Drinks: Starbucks has always been my best friend, but even more during the holiday season. My favorite little trick to self-motivate to go study and work is to get a fun drink to go with my study session. With chains bringing their holiday menu, it is super easy to get a little cheer during finals week. Giving yourself a reward whether before or after your studying session will help you get through this tough patch of the semester, and making it a festive drink will get you into the spirit even more.
Movie Study Breaks: Knowing when my brain needs a break is crucial to ensure efficiency in studying and finals week. So, when I know I need a study break, I think to myself: “Why not curl up on my couch/bed and watch a holiday movie?” Watching a lighthearted and warming holiday movie can be the best way to decompress after a prolonged study session. You can watch it with friends, your pet or with just yourself. Allow yourself to forget about your responsibilities for 90 minutes and immerse your brain into a whole different world.
Spending your whole holiday season wrapped up in your textbooks can potentially negatively affect your motivation in the future, but spending your finals week only doing holiday traditions can harm your final semester grade. Finding the balance that kept me academically motivated while also excited for the holidays gave my inner kid the best outcome for my finals week.