This is the content of the pop-over!

 

7 Tips to Stay Motivated to Study During the Holidays

December-12-2019

7 Tips to Stay Motivated to Study During the Holidays header

The semester is over. The year is drawing to a close. You’re tired and ready to let loose, but you’ve got to stay motivated in preparation for upcoming certification exams. Sound familiar? While most people see this time of year as a reason to celebrate and relax, others must continue on with their studies ahead of qualifying exams in the new year. If you’re in need of a motivation boost, try these seven tips:

Create a new Study Routine

You don’t think twice about brushing your teeth each morning and night because your routine is locked and loaded. By creating a study routine, you won’t agonize about the process of preparing for your certification exam. Try linking your new routine to another habit you already possess. For instance, if you know you’ll have free time every morning of winter break, consider taking a practice test each morning with breakfast. It’ll be easy to get into the habit if you’re already used to sitting down at the table to eat each day!

Chart Your Progress

To ensure you stick to your routine, map out a tight schedule of content you hope to address over the holidays. Write down what you want to accomplish over each day, week and the entire month. Segmenting out the chapters you want to review can make a gargantuan task feel more manageable! As you progress through the material, award yourself treats along the way. You’d be surprised at how satisfying a simple gold star can feel when stuck to your chart of study milestones!

Make Studying Social

There are other perks to a more social approach to studying, too – they say two heads are better than one for a reason. If you have classmates and friends who are indeed preparing for the same exam you are, consider splitting up chapters of your textbook or assigning specific topics for each person to master on the group’s behalf. Come together and share what you’ve learned with the group. It’s the best way to make holiday studying work for you!

Take Breaks

Cram sessions can be an effective way to study during the holidays, but they come with a risky side effect: burnout. If you devote too much of your time and attention to your studies, you’re sure to feel the impact sooner rather than later. Exam preparation is indeed important, but finding balance is the key to success. Give yourself one day off each week to clear your mind and remember the bigger picture. After all, your larger goal isn’t just to perform well on your exam, it’s to find success and happiness in all areas of your life!

Reward Yourself

Holiday studying takes a lot out of you. Amidst shopping for gifts, attending parties and decorating for the season, you’ve also got to find time to outline chapters and take practice tests. Given how difficult it is to strike the right balance while you study during the holidays, it’s important to reward your hard work. This season, find ways to practice self-care amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays. The process doesn’t have to be especially indulgent – take a yoga class, relax with a hot bath, or binge a few hours of your favorite television show. You’ll come away from the experience refreshed and ready to tackle the next item on your to do list!

Track Your Progress

You can't know where you're going until you know where you've been. Tracking your progress can be a great way to show you which study strategies are working for you and which should be abandoned. Even establishing a baseline through a single practice test can give you the intel needed to know what areas need your focus. Of course, the more data points, the fuller the picture. Take multiple practice tests and plot your results for a snapshot of your progress.

Stay Focused on Your Goals

Many people find themselves slacking on their goals when it comes to holiday studying. While it’s indeed tempting to trade your textbook for a plate of Christmas cookies, it’s important to learn to take breaks instead of stopping altogether. To remain focused on your goals, write out a list of all you hope to accomplish in the new year. Keep the list close by and refer back to it whenever you’re lacking in motivation.

Motivation from Exam Edge

A loss in motivation can have a serious impact on your exam results. With so much riding on the outcome of your big test, you owe it to yourself to employ every motivational strategy in the book! For more guidance, tips and strategies to keep you studying during the holidays, head over to our blog. Our practice tests, exam guides and study tips are sure to get you back on track for a successful holiday study experience!