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Cold-weather wellness: Tips for Staying Healthy this Season

Winter smog bad air pollution Asian woman wearing mask to breathe outside cold air.

Staying healthy during colder months is the first step in making sure you can enjoy all the activities the season brings.

When you are indoors more during the fall and winter, you may be closer to other people. This can increase your chances of catching viruses that cause colds, the flu, or COVID-19. Dry winter air can also weaken natural mucus barriers in the nose, mouth, and lungs, where viruses can enter the body.

Get a flu shot

Each year, the seasonal flu sickens millions and causes thousands of hospitalizations and flu-related deaths in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. Flu vaccines are updated each year to best protect against new strains of the flu virus.

Reduce the spread

To help reduce the spread of the flu, colds, and other viruses, including COVID-19, you should:

  • Wash your hands frequently. It is the best way to protect yourself from catching illnesses.
  • Wipe down surfaces around you with a sanitizing cleaner.
  • Keep a distance from those who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay hydrated, so you can flush toxins out of your system.
  • Get enough sleep to keep your immune system strong.

Make nutritious choices

Eating a diet full of vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains can also help you stay healthy during the colder months. Consider treats that will satisfy cravings but have less fat and added sugar, and also keep an eye on portion size. When making your food shopping list during the holidays, think about healthier alternatives to traditional comfort foods.

Stay active

Shorter days and colder weather may lead you to exercise less. But even moderate exercise, like a brisk walk, raking leaves, or climbing stairs, can help. Physical activity can help you maintain or lose weight, reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and improve your quality of sleep.

Source: https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/cold-weather-wellness-tips-for-staying-healthy-this-season

TOP 10 TIPS FOR A BANG-UP SPRING SEMESTER

New beginnings are always opportunities for change. And, right as you’re reading this, you’re getting a double bonus: a new year plus a new semester. So now’s the perfect time to get ready for the best spring semester ever. These 10 best tips will help you ensure that you make it happen:

#1 Do an early “spring cleaning.” To get your new semester off on the best foot possible, make a mental list of what things (if any) got mucked up during the fall semester and then make a list of how you’ll clean it all up in the spring semester. Do you need to make it to class more often? Take better notes? Keep up on the reading? Study harder for tests? Whatever it is in your case (and everybody has something), now’s the time to make amends and guarantee yourself a better semester this year.

#2 Reassess your limits. Give your planned schedule the “once over lightly” and see if it makes sense in light of your experiences in the fall – and, more important, in light of the fact that many students have less energy for classes in the spring than they did in the fall. Consider whether you aren’t overextending yourself with an overly ambitious course load or excessively long hours working a job outside school. (On the other hand, if you breezed through the fall without breaking a sweat, perhaps it’s time to up the challenge in the new semester.)

#3 Audition your professors. At the start of the spring semester, don’t just settle for whatever you preregistered for last fall. View the first few class meetings as try-outs—for the professor—and if he or she isn’t up to snuff, use the drop/add period to find something better. If you need motivation to make the course changes, just think back on that horrible prof or course you suffered through last fall. Why double the pain in a single academic year?

#4 Adjust your attitude. Many students view their courses as hurdles to get over, and hope to find courses that set the hurdles as low as possible. But what would happen if you started to see classes as (gasp) learning opportunities? And if you started to value classes that really taught you stuff, rather than ones that netted an easy “A” but (if you were honest with yourself) had no real intellectual worth? Change your mind-set this spring and you’ll be amazed at how much more you enjoy and value college.

  • Reality Check. Believe it or not, once you get out of college and into the “real world” you’re likely to miss the excitement of learning. Appreciate this experience while you have it. You probably won’t ever again get another opportunity to devote so much of your time and energy to learning.

#5 Control your spending. If in the first half of the college year you’ve already spent the financial resources intended for the whole year, take some time to make a budget and rein in your spending. Financial worries are some of the biggest college—and life—stressors. So if you’re constantly feeling strapped, sort out your budget and stick to it.

  • 5-Star Tip. Many students find it easier to keep to a budget if they buy prepaid debit cards each month (and stop buying when the card runs out). Seems brutal, but it can really work.

#6 Address your “issues.” If you have health concerns that you haven’t gotten under control– physical or psychological (or both)—you’ll have a much better semester if you face these problems head on right now, before the semester starts. Be proactive. Even if you aren’t having a particular difficulty right now, consider problems that could likely crop up later on in the semester (perhaps when you’re under more stress or when the pollen count skyrockets). Who wants to be just starting to look for solutions to long-standing difficulties during the throes of midterms (or, worse yet, finals)?

  • Extra Pointer. Your university has many resources to help students with a variety of problems (e.g., health services, counseling services, and centers for learning disabilities) and you shouldn’t hesitate to make use of them. Heck, you probably paid for them as part of your student fees.

#7 Treat college like a real job. Aside from the occasional hard-ass prof, most of the time life at college life cuts you a fair amount of slack: You can get excused from class for minor illnesses, get extensions for papers, obtain makeups for finals, etc. But in most jobs you’ll get after college, that sinus headache, bad as it is, won’t get you out of the big presentation to the client or the deadline for the time-sensitive report. Bad habits can be hard to break. So stop doing things at college that would get you booted out of any respectable job. Show respect for the job you have now as a college student and you’ll find more purpose and meaning in your time at college.

#8 Friend a professor. Studies have shown that the most valuable and memorable learning experiences at college derive from out- of-class interactions with their professors. Luckily, it’s not so hard to connect with a professor. Go to office hours, ask a question after class, send an email, Skype, or post something on their facebook page. Professors respond best to students who seek them out with a genuine desire to learn (not just with a desire to get a good grade) and with a genuine interest in the course material (not limited to what’s going to be on the exam).

  • Best-Kept Secret. You’ll get the warmest reception from the professor if sometime in the meeting you ask about his or her research. At many universities, half the prof’s job is the research, and in most cases he or she will be flattered if you care enough to ask.

#9 Move outside your comfort zone. This spring try to do something that’s new and unusual for you. Maybe join a club or pursue an extra-curricular interest that you’ve always wanted to try but never gotten around to (perhaps due to fear of the unknown). Learn a new language. Join a study group. Go to some art exhibitions, poetry readings, plays or concerts. A bit of change is good: Not only can it develop new dimensions to your personality, it can help you avoid getting stuck in a rut.

#10 Lighten up. It’s a new year, so don’t beat yourself up for mistakes you made in the past. View mistakes as feedback, not a failures. College is a long-term project, and no one mess-up is likely to ruin your life or your chances at a good career after college. Before the spring semester gets going, take a few minutes to think about all the positive things that happened last semester, big and small. Believe that even more await you this spring.

Best of luck in your new semester, and Happy New Year

Source: https://www.chegg.com/play/student-life/freshman-real-talk/top-10-tips-for-a-bang-up-spring-semester/

TIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO GET BACK ON A SCHEDULE AFTER WINTER BREAK

For almost every college student, the winter holidays are a much needed break from classes, books, exams and those demanding professors who never seem to let up with the assignments. If you are like most students, you will probably spend the break hanging out with your family and friends, eating good food and sleeping in as much as possible. Then, before you know it the break is over and it is time to get back to school, back to studying and back to trying to ace those classes. It can be hard to transition from winter break back to college, but with these easy steps you can ensure you are back on track in no time.

Plan ahead

About a week or a few days before you are set to start classes again, try to get to bed and wake up a little earlier. Eat your meals at the same time you do when you are in college and take time out each day to read a book or do some writing. This way, your body will adjust to your regular school schedule so that it is easier to get back into the swing of things when the time comes.

Set goals

Before you start classes again, make a list of all the things you want to achieve for the remainder of the term. Maybe you want to make above average grades in all your classes, or perhaps you want to spend more time at the gym. Be realistic and try to set goals that are within your reach. Write the list on a piece of paper, and stick it to your mirror or bulletin board, so you have a daily reminder of your objectives.

Set a schedule

Besides your regular class times, try to schedule in set study times, gym sessions and extracurricular activities at set times every day. Plan your social life around your schedule, and try to stick to it, no matter how tempting the other options are. This way you will be less likely to slip behind on the important things.

Form a study group

Sometimes it is easier to get things done if you have other people to encourage and motivate you. Study groups are great because they allow you to socialize and study at the same time. In addition, group members can help each other out with difficult problems or material.

Source: https://hbculifestyle.com/tips-for-college-students-to-get-back-on-a-schedule-after-winter-break/

5 Tips to Help You Prepare for the New Semester

Whether you’re starting your first semester of college, or returning after a much-needed break, it’s time to start thinking about how you can put your best foot forward in the new school year.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the start of the semester:

  1. Get organized. The first step to manage your stress throughout the school year is to be in control of your academic responsibilities. If you receive your syllabi from your professors before the first day of class, read through it carefully and note important deadlines and exam dates. Keep track of those dates in a paper or digital planner so you can note when certain projects and timelines will overlap, or when you might have scheduling conflicts because of work or family obligations.
  2. Buy or rent your textbooks before the first day of class. Don’t wait until you receive your first reading assignment to head to the bookstore. Reach out to your instructors a few weeks before school starts and ask for a list of required reading materials. This small step shows that you’re willing to take initiative, and also gives you extra time to buy or rent your textbooks, or request a copy from the library. If you’re feeling motivated, read through the first chapter to become acquainted with course material before your first class.
  3. Adjust to a new schedule. The addition of school work, classes and commuting can be overwhelming at first, especially when you’re already juggling work and family responsibilities. Adding classes to your weekly schedule will force you to establish a morning and evening routine that allows you to stay refreshed and focused all day. When you are adjusted to your new routine, you’ll be better able to manage your schoolwork in addition to other responsibilities.
  4. Have a plan. Set a few short-term and long-term goals that will help you stay focused and motivated when things get tough. Then, strategize a few manageable steps that will help you achieve each goal. For example, allow yourself 1-2 hours a few nights a week to study or catch up on schoolwork, keeping your long-term goal of achieving an A or a B on each exam in mind. Start a journal to keep track of your progress and to remind yourself of your accomplishments when you need a confidence boost.
  5. Get involved. The first few weeks of the semester are the perfect time to connect with your new classmates and peers. Forming study groups will help you get to know your classmates and also help you prepare for your exams. Additionally, look for opportunities on campus or within your community that can help advance your personal and professional goals, such as tutoring or volunteering.

Making the extra effort to prepare for your first few weeks of school will help set the tone for a productive semester and put you on the right track towards achieving your goals. For more tips on how to jumpstart the school year, click here.

9 Tips for a Successful New Year

Happy New Year Celebration Text with Festive Gold Fireworks Collage in Night Sky

I’ve been through the gamut of the regular New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s working on time management, being more punctual, or eating healthier, I’ve always found that my motivation dwindles as February hits. If you’re like me and don’t want to start the New Year off with a resolution failure, there are tons of tiny things you can do that can lead to a year of success.

1. Clean out your email

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who have clean inboxes and those who have 13,678 unread emails. While it’s not a mess of things that would land you on an episode of Hoarders, it’s mental clutter, for sure. Take some time to go through your unread emails or just flat out delete them all and start over!

2. Check your credit score

I check my credit score every January. While most of you might not have a ton of credit history, you can’t avoid not knowing it for much longer. If you are looking to buy/lease a car, own a house, and/or rent an apartment in college, you won’t be getting any of those things if your score is too low. To know your score means you can make adjustments now that will set you up for financial success later. Credit Karma is a great place to start for free reports, credit monitoring, and credit scores.

3. Drink more water

If weight loss is part of your resolutions this year, water is a huge part of that. Even if you don’t change a ton about your eating/fitness habits, drinking more water every day makes you feel fuller and thus, you’ll eat less!

4. Organize your space at least once a month

When things are messy, you aren’t at your best. Think of the time you spend trying to find things when your room is in disarray. By the time you find whatever you’re looking for, you’re tired and ready for a nap. (Just me?) Keep your living area organized to keep your mind clear.

5. Get a calendar

This may seem old school with the technology we have available, but I love me a paper calendar. I find that when I write meetings, assignments, and events down, I remember them more, and my calendar is always on my desk so I can see the month in advance.

6. Start saving…a little

A few weeks ago, I came across a post on social media that said, “For the past year, I put away every $5 bill that came into my possession. To date, I’ve saved $3,335.” It’s really hard as a high school, college, or graduate school student to save money, so this method works to kick-start a good emergency fund—or maybe a slight alternative to calling your parents all the time for some extra cash.

7. Clean up your social media

There are two things you can do in the social media realm. First, unfriend and unfollow friends whom you no longer speak with, who are super annoying, or whom you just don’t like anymore. Why keep that negative energy around when you can remove it from your life with the click of a button?

Second, if you’re applying to college or looking for a job, take stock of all of your posts and pictures. Now more than ever, recruiters and colleges are checking prospective applicants out through social media, and it is playing a huge role in their decisions.

8. Create a LinkedIn page

LinkedIn is a critical part of the job search—it’s a great way to make a first impression on businesses looking for new employees and could lead to a job you were never expecting! Businesses and recruiters are more likely to turn to LinkedIn first to check out your qualifications. If they can’t find you, do you think they will call you in for an interview?

9. Apply for at least one scholarship a day

There are a bajillion scholarships out there. Literally a bajillion. I’ve counted. Okay, maybe not…but I work in the CollegeXpress scholarship database daily, and our team is always looking for the really fun awards that all of you can apply for.

I once read something that said millions of dollars go unpaid to students in the scholarship area because no one applies. If you apply to just one scholarship a day, you could easily pay off a few semesters of school in just a month. Keep a look out for our Scholarship Saturday postings, where we pick some of our favorite scholarships that almost anyone can apply to and go home with some serious cash.

Whatever your resolution is—big or small—I wish you a happy and healthy New Year!

Winter Break Survival Tips For College Students

Portrait of a young girl on a white background

After the stress of finals is over, many students are excited to return home for winter break. It can be a special time for family, friends, and a familiar place. Unfortunately, going home can present its own challenges.

Whether it is adjusting to living at home again or not having anything to do, winter break—a time to recuperate after the past semester— can sometimes feel more overwhelming than school. Here are some common issues and ways to address them to help you make the most of your break.

Strapped For Cash?

College is known as a time when many are low on money. If you want to fill your time and save up while you are doing it, winter break is a great opportunity. Many retailers offer seasonal employment to help with the holiday rush. You could also reach out to former employers or workplaces to see if there are any shifts available: they likely have lots of requests for time off at this time of year. Another option is babysitting—many people need sitters while they shop or visit friends or family. Any of these can be a way to spend your time and can put you in a better position for the upcoming semester.

Too Much Time?

After being pulled in so many directions at school, it can be hard to adjust to having so much free time. This can bring boredom, frustration, or a worsening of symptoms for those with mental health disorders. While it is important to take time to relax, making a plan or list of things you would like to do over break is a good way to fill up your schedule. You could make plans to see friends you have been away from or take time to visit relatives. If you enjoy reading, you may have only had time to read books for your classes. Break can be a great time to read any books that interest you. Volunteering for causes important to you is an option that allows you to feel good and to add experience you may be able to call on later. Whether you prefer to be at the gym, painting, or watching movies, winter break is an opportunity to fill your time with things that make you feel good.

Family Problems?

You can plan ahead by thinking about what questions or conflicts typically come up and how you might respond (or not respond) to them. You can make a list of coping skills that work for you including texting an understanding friend, breathing exercises, or going for a walk. Finally, make sure to reward yourself. If you feel something is going to be challenging, plan to do something you enjoy or find relaxing afterwards. This way you can have something to look forward to and a way to deal with any leftover stress.

Worried About Your Mental Health?

Many people experience a worsening of symptoms around this time of year for a variety of reasons. If you are in treatment, you can work with your provider on how to best support you. If you are not in treatment or think you may be experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder, break allows you time to focus on how you’re feeling, what you might need, and how to make a plan moving forward. Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible. If you are having trouble sleeping, experiencing racing thoughts, or just want additional information, take one of MHA’s screenings and check out our resources on a variety of mental health issues.

Tips for Tackling Finals

Finals week can be a new student’s biggest challenge; and even a senior student’s hell week. The semester starts off and feels like a never ending marathon of assignments and exams to tackle. Then the end of the semester comes around and suddenly the marathon turns into a sprint of final exams and projects all in one week. Try your best not to stress out or panic, that will just make it all worse. And at the end of the day, if you don’t pass a class, then you just take it again, and kill it, and life goes on! It is not the end of the world if your classes don’t go as planned, an extra semester of college never hurt anyone, right?

Final exams have determined whether I pass or fail classes many times, but from those experiences I have come up with some tips on how to tackle those exams and succeed. Preparation is key for final exams. Having a good study plan for each exam will make learning all the material less stressful and more efficient; time management is also important due to the heavy volume of material to absorb and the short amount of time between each exam. Try to create your study guides/flashcards/practice problem sets as far in advance as possible. The best way to do this is to start at the beginning of the semester by keeping exam prep materials (past chapter reviews, practice exams, homework, etc.) from throughout the semester.

Having a good study spot is also important. The ability to make yourself comfortable and have what you need to focus makes all the difference when getting in the study zone. Whether you like dead quiet and no distractions, a quiet area with others around you who are also studying (aka motivation to stay focused like they are), or EDM blasting in your ears to keep you awake but still in your own zone. Having a study buddy doesn’t hurt either. I prefer to have someone studying with me because it helps to bounce questions off each other, quiz each other, and make sure you both stay focused on the material at hand. But most important, remember to not get overwhelmed and take each exam as it comes, you will get through it!

College Students Take on Winter Break: Keep Working or Just Relax?

So you’ve just finished finals and you find yourself asking, “What should I do this winter break?” Your answer could be relaxing, working or both. There are so many activities to look forward to during your highly anticipated winter break.

I’m sure you are reading this guide to get into the holiday spirit that much sooner.

As busy students are preparing for finals, you may find yourself wishing to be back home with friends, family and lots of great food.

Now is the time to anticipate and strategize your plans for the coming winter break. As you carry out business as usual, consider what you need to do to be ready for another jam-packed semester.

So, let’s recap your last break. You’ve just come off Thanksgiving break with a much-needed celebration of free time spent with loved ones. You’ve probably eaten enough food to make you sick to your stomach and simply want to sleep off that stomachache from all of that turkey.

Whether Thanksgiving stands as a fall tradition for you and your family or if it’s simply the shopping on Black Friday that made everything worth it — the week off of class was needed for all of us.

Now back to reality.

With all of this recollection of Thanksgiving break, how will you choose to spend your winter break? Will you celebrate time with family? Will you choose to enjoy the holiday season with Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or bringing in the new year? Or will you continue to study and work hard at home?

There’s many different ways to spend our next break. For many of us, we are presented with no break at all. Winter break is yet another small semester within the given time off.

We guiltily chose to sign up for a quick winter semester to take that class we forgot about taking during earlier semesters.

This is not the most desired option, but if it means we get to graduate on time, then it makes it all worth it. Just think, you’ll get to celebrate the holidays with loved ones. Isn’t that the most important thing?

For some of us, like myself, we haven’t signed up for classes yet and wait until the last minute to prepare for the following semester.

So, we spend part of our winter break planning for the spring semester by organizing our schedule with classes and extracurricular activities. We order books, buy new binders and sharpen those pencils again.

If you are an upperclassman, many of you have final degree projects that must be completed in the spring for graduation.

Thus comes early planning. You know you still have to complete the project even though you’ve finished all of your required classes, right? This just adds to the list of things to plan for during winter break.

Perhaps you’ll spend break abroad because you’ve planned ahead to “peace out” after the holidays for that highly anticipated winter study abroad trip. Or maybe you are looking ahead fondly at your flight booked in January for a spring spent abroad. Winter break comes as a time to relax with friends and family at home.

That spring break trip you plan to spend in Mexico is going to need some funding, so maybe you’ll apply to some campus jobs over break? Maybe you were even appointed to that executive board position you’ve been vying for.

Whatever it is, you’ll most likely spend a good amount of time over break planning for another successful semester on campus.

Winter break is a perfect time to plan ahead for all of the new activities you’ll find yourself involved in. While you consider where and what you’ll be doing over winter break, just remember it’s OK to carry out some work. But most importantly, you should relax.

Holidays are a time for some much needed prepping and pampering for the coming spring semester.

Whether you are planning a spa trip with friends, traveling somewhere warmer for winter months or just enjoying time at home, winter break is a time devoted to the activities you wish to do but don’t have time for during school.

Soon you’ll have time for those activities you’ve been dying to do. So, moving forward toward the holidays, go for it and have no regrets.

Five Tips for Managing Stress During Finals

As the semester comes to an end, final projects and exams are likely to just add an extra layer of pressure. It is difficult not to feel an added layer from final projects and exams. While everyone manages anxiety brought on by these stressors in a different way, below are some general tips to help you succeed these last few weeks before the end of the term.

1. Practice Self-Care Habits

Whether you’re working on a final essay or studying for a final exam, practicing self-care can help you make it to the finish line. Although it may seem simple in theory, carving out time from your study schedule to step outside and get a breath of fresh air or do a HIIT routine can go a long way. Equally important is staying hydrated, eating protein-based meals, and getting a good night’s rest. Though all-night cram sessions can be tempting, research has proven that memory recall and a heightened sense of concentration are higher among well-rested individuals.

2. Ask for Help

Throughout your academic career, you most likely have tried various studying techniques. From making flash cards, to writing notes, to rereading entire book chapters, everyone learns in a different way. If you’re struggling with finding the right type of study strategy, whether for a particular course or in general, Seaver’s Student Success Center can help. Book an academic coaching appointment from the Navigate app to connect with a coach who will offer individualized study techniques to help you prepare for exams.

3. Find a Study Buddy

Preparing for final exams doesn’t have to be an isolated effort. Schedule virtual study groups with friends to help make studying sessions fun. Use the Study Buddy feature in the Navigate app to connect with classmates to draft study guides and share resources. While study sessions in the library and dorm rooms are not possible this semester, connecting has never been more important.

4. Complete a Nonacademic Activity

Take a break. Clear your mind by cooking a meal, doing a holiday DIY craft, or spreading a little cheer to those in need. Whatever you choose to do, consider setting an alarm for a predetermined amount of time. While you ultimately need to decide what works best for you, studies have shown that taking a break every 90 minutes or so leads to a higher amount of productivity.

5. Get Started

With finals on the horizon, it can seem like an impossible feat to make it to the finish line. Although the journey may be difficult, you have survived every obstacle thrown your way so far. Make a plan, get organized, and just start. Whether you begin with the simplest thing on your to-do list or tackle the big project first, no matter how you start, simply beginning is bringing you one step closer to the end goal.

Take a deep breath and remain confident in your abilities. The University is rooting for you. Best of luck!

5 Tips for Staying On Track During the Holidays

The holidays are a time of joy for many people, but they are also a time where our sense of normalcy is jeopardized a bit.

Parties, out-of-town-visitors, shopping, cleaning, cooking, and other holiday activities can throw a wrench into everyday routines.

For students, celebrating the holidays can cut into study time. The need to accomplish the same amount of work in less time – and with added pressures – can cause stress, which also can make studying difficult.

Study tips for holidays

To get your work done while minimizing stress during the holidays, consider the following tips.

1. CREATE A REALISTIC SCHEDULE

It’s easy to fall into the I’ll-do-it-later trap; too often, later never comes and you’re left scrambling to meet deadlines. Create a schedule that allocates appropriate study time each day during the holidays. Most importantly, stick to your schedule no matter what else is going on.

2. PACE YOURSELF

You know the deadlines for your course assignments. Count backward from those due dates to determine how many days you have, and estimate how much time you need to put in each day.

Create ample room in your daily schedule for completing all assignments in advance of their deadlines. Putting assignments off will only add to your stress and reduce the chances of performing at your best.

3. GET YOUR FAMILY ON BOARD

It’s vital for loved ones to understand why you can’t be available at every moment during the holidays.

Explain to children, along with other family members, that your studies are very important and you’ll need to devote some time to them on most days. They may even want to help you by scheduling a daily quiet period or family reading time.

4. MAKE TIME FOR REST

Between your studies and the constant barrage of holiday activities, you may be tempted to skimp on sleep. Resist this urge at all cost! Sleep plays a critical role in both learning and thinking, according to WebMD.

Failure to sleep enough can impair your concentration and problem-solving, which can seriously limit the effectiveness of your study time.

5. TAKE A BREATHER

While you’ll need to set aside time on most days for your studies, understand that it’s OK to take a break once in awhile.

If Christmas Day is significant for you and your family, for instance, consider taking the day off from your studies.

However, if you do take an occasional day off, don’t try to make up for all the lost time the next day. Overdoing it can lower the quality of the extra study time. Instead, continue moving forward at your normal pace, and make up the time with a few extra minutes spread over multiple days, if need be.

With the support of your family and some smart planning, you can help create a holiday season filled with more joy than stress.

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