Managing Your Studying Over Thanksgiving Break

One of my pet peeves when our daughters were in college was that professors would give an assignment on the last day of class before break or schedule a test the first day of class after the break.  It is really hard to work over break but, even if you do not have any exams or assignments, it is important to keep up with your studying.

At my institution our Thanksgiving break is one week and then we come back for two weeks of classes and one week of finals.  It is too long to not even think about your studies for nine days (Saturday – following Sunday).

Here are some ideas to hopefully ensure you either get the work done or do not lose ground in your studying:

• Plan ahead for two or three times when you will study or work on projects.  If you have some specific times set aside you will enjoy relaxing even more.
• Tell someone else your plans so that you are more committed.
• Write the times in your planner or, even better, on the family calendar.
• Go to someplace more “academic” – your local library or Starbucks, coffee shop
• If you are going to work at home, pick an environment where you will be more focused – maybe the dining room table if you do not have a desk in your room. 
• Make sure you have some specific ideas about what you will do – make review chart, read textbook, test yourself.

AND – remember to pack carefully when you return to school and don’t leave anything important behind!  (This happens all the time!!)

Enjoy your break!

*****

First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.