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You are taking exams
Winter holidays are a tricky time for students: on the one hand, everyone is taking a lengthy break, so all around you there is fun and celebration. On the other, there is the looming prospect of exams and you feel the pressure to use every minute to study. However, that’s a trap: according to Anna Nikolayeva, a psychologist with the online service Alter, it’s important to give yourself permission to rest – by resting, you help yourself to be more productive in the future. So, the key is to find a balance: enjoy the perks of winter while also taking the time to revise for the exams.
How do you do it? With careful planning, of course. Some of our favorite techniques that can be used here are:
- Lists – simple, but effective. Write down everything you have to do, and you’ll already feel better;
- Time blocking. Mark the hours you need to be revising on a calendar, then add meetings with friends and other fun activities;
- Pomodoro technique, the tried and true. The classic version is to work for 25 minutes and rest for 5, but you can choose longer work/break periods;
- Plan for rest. Don’t leave it to chance or the time “when you’ve done everything.” And be very careful with what you consider “rest” – doing chores doesn’t count; it should be something that helps you relax.
To keep your spirits up, it can be good to include daily practices like a gratitude journal, writing down three things you did well each day, or keeping a “done” list with everything you did, from cooking breakfast to revising a chapter and calling a friend.
Read more: Being Your Own Supportive Friend: How To Grow Your Self-Esteem
You don’t have exams, but you are burnt out
Even when you don’t have exams (congrats, this means you’ve had quite a productive semester!), winter isn’t the easiest season to go through: the lack of sunlight and constant cold take their toll. Pre-holiday days (or weeks) could also be quite overwhelming, so you might find yourself in a burnout-like state. In this case, our tips are:
- Give yourself time to recover: maintain a sleeping schedule, don’t pressure yourself into being productive, give yourself some grace.
- It could be good to include some form of activity into every day. You don’t have to hit the gym – a simple walk along the decorated streets will do. Winter is also rich with cool activities like ice-skating or slides, and by properly layering for these outings and taking your friends with you, you are bound to have fun.
- Artificial light sources can be a way to compensate for lack of sunlight, so consider surrounding yourself with light.
- Often, our fatigue stems from being glued to the screen for days on end – for studies, work, and fun. To unwind, think about going analog for the holidays: journaling by hand instead of on a keyboard, reading physical books, doing crafts, or playing board games. Once you start thinking about it, you’ll come up with a multitude of things you can enjoy doing without a screen.
Exams or no exams – there is fun to be had!
What can you plan to rest in style? Where can you go with your friends to engage in some proper winter merry-making? Of course, we have a list of options for you!
Credit: Александр Гурьев on Unsplash
- First and foremost, look into our guides to the 2025 winter holidays in St. Petersburg. We’ve got lists of exhibitions to hit, all the top ice rinks in the city, as well as winter markets – all in this guide;
- If you are into games, we have this article with those you can complete in just a day or this one with co-op games you can enjoy with your friends;
- Staying on the topic of games, but also venturing into productivity – with games on this list, you’ll boost your skills while having fun;
- If you are longing for some quiet, but don’t want to stay inside, we’ve put together a list of places that would please any introvert – check it out!
May 2026 be a year of no burnout, less stress, and a lot of joy!
