The festive season can be a juggling act – between revision, family time, social plans, and everything else that comes with the holidays, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. At The Advice Centre, we’re here to offer support and practical tips to help you manage your revision, protect your mental health, and set boundaries that work for you during this busy time. Whether you need advice on staying focused, talking to family about your study schedule, or managing social pressures, we’ve got your back. Keep reading for some helpful suggestions to make this time of year a little easier.
Revision
Making revision feel more manageable
Instead of aiming for a “perfect” study day (that somehow starts at 7am with a 10km run and colour-coded notes…), try setting a few small non-negotiables.
Think:
- 2 focused blocks of 25–30 minutes
- 1 tiny win per subject – e.g. “do 5 questions”, “summarise 2 pages”, “review 1 lecture”
If you hit those, that’s a good revision day. Anything extra is a bonus.
This takes the pressure off and makes it easier to keep going, even on days when you’re tired, busy, or just not feeling it.
Helping yourself focus
You don’t need a full productivity makeover – just a few tweaks:
- Use headphones or noise-cancelling if you have them – even quiet music or white noise can help you zone in.
- Put your phone in another room for those 25–30 minute blocks. Out of sight, out of mind (mostly).
- Have your materials ready before you start – water, notes, laptop charger. Fewer excuses to wander off.
Short, focused bursts are often more effective than staring at a page for hours and not taking anything in.
Talking to family about revision
When you’re home, it can be easy for other people to assume you’re “off” and completely free. But your studies don’t stop just because you’ve changed postcode.
It’s okay to politely set expectations. You could try:
“I’ve got exams coming up, so I’ll need a bit of time each day to revise.”
“I’m planning to do an hour in the morning and a bit after dinner – I’ll be around the rest of the time.”
You’re not being rude or antisocial – you’re looking after your future self.
Lifestyle & Personal
Mindset & mental health
Social media is full of “perfect” plans, outfits, trips and relationships. Remember:
- People post highlights, not reality.
- For every party picture, there were probably quiet, boring, or stressful moments too.
Instead of asking, “What is everyone else doing?” try asking:
“What do I need today?”
That might be sleep, a walk, a coffee with a friend, or finally tackling that past paper.
If you’re struggling, the Student Hub is here for your wellbeing. They provide free, 24/7 support to help you manage comparison, improve self-esteem, and cope with stress during the holidays.
Feeling lonely or left out
You can feel lonely even if you’re surrounded by people – family, friends, flatmates. That doesn’t make you weird or broken.
If you’re feeling like that, especially at a time that’s “supposed” to be happy:
- Know that it’s very common (even if no one is saying it).
- Your feelings are valid, even if everyone else looks like they’re having the best time ever.
The Advice Centre can help with mental health support and connect you with counselling services if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Their confidential support is available to help you navigate any mental health challenges you may face.
Anxiety and overthinking
If your brain is doing the Olympics in overthinking, try building in small, safe connections:
- A short video call with someone you trust
- A walk with a friend
- A quick chat online with someone you feel safe speaking to
You can also take a break from people when you need it:
- Step out of the room for a few minutes
- Go for some fresh air
- Sit somewhere quiet and breathe
The Advice Centre provides anxiety management support and can help you with strategies to manage stress effectively, including connecting with mental health services. You can also reach out to the University’s Student Hub for 24/7 support.
Money, essentials and saying no
Prioritising the essentials
Festive spending adds up quickly – nights out, presents, travel, food. It’s a lot.
Your essentials come first:
- Rent
- Bills
- Food
If you’re feeling the strain financially, remember that it’s perfectly okay to say no to things that don’t fit your budget. You’re not failing if you can’t afford everything, and you’re not boring for choosing to save your money.
The Advice Centre can offer financial advice and help you create a realistic budget. They can also guide you on how to set boundaries with friends or family when it comes to money and social plans.
Final reminder
If this time of year feels messy, overwhelming, or just “not how it’s meant to look”, you’re not alone.
- Your revision doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective.
- Your plans don’t have to be impressive to be valid.
- Your budget doesn’t define your worth.
The Advice Centre is here to support you with everything from revision tips and financial advice to mental health support. While we will be closed from 24 December to 4 January, the University Wellbeing Team is available 24/7 to provide immediate support. You can reach out to them during this time for guidance, and we’ll be back to assist you once we’re open again. You’re allowed to put yourself first.