The holiday season is here — a wonderful time for family, celebration, and reflection. For many online students, though, December and January can also bring a special challenge: how do you stay focused on your studies while everything around you is shouting “holiday mode”?
At Robert Kennedy College (RKC), we truly value the flexibility that online learning offers. Our programmes are thoughtfully designed to fit your lifestyle — whether you’re on the move, enjoying family time, or working towards your career goals. Of course, with great flexibility comes responsibility. During the holidays, it’s common for your laptop to become a bit less of a priority as you indulge in festive meals, travel adventures, and social gatherings. We’re here to support you in staying on track while making the most of this joyful season.
If you’re working towards an online Bachelor’s, MBA, MSc, LL.M, or PhD and want to keep your momentum while soaking in the holiday cheer, here are some friendly tips to help you stay motivated and find balance during this festive season.
Harness the Power of Planning
Effective planning is your best shield against distraction. As Christmas and New Year approach, the weeks often bring busy, unpredictable schedules, family gatherings, and joyful celebrations. Crafting a study plan that thoughtfully accommodates this busy time can truly make a big difference in staying on track.
- Set clear milestones for the holiday weeks. Think about the specific tasks — like reading assignments, discussion posts, or project drafts — that you’d like to accomplish before the year wraps up. Breaking them down into manageable steps can make the busy holiday season feel a bit more organised and upbeat!
- Schedule your study time on your calendar just like you would for work meetings or holiday gatherings. Spending just two focused hours each day can help you stay on track with your progress and make your learning journey feel more manageable.
- Be prepared for any disruptions that might come your way. Expect unexpected gatherings, travel days, or last-minute errands, and try to build in some extra buffer time. That way, if you miss a session, it won’t completely throw off your momentum.
Keep in mind: planning isn’t about being perfect; it’s about safeguarding your progress. Short, regular study sessions are much more effective than long, late-night cram sessions.
Create a Focused Holiday Study Area
During the holidays, your surroundings can change quite a bit — from festive decorations to visiting loved ones, and sometimes even travelling to see family. That’s why setting up a cozy, dedicated study space is so helpful in staying focused and keeping things manageable.
- Find a quiet spot, even if it’s just a cosy corner of your room or a special spot in your travel accommodation, make it a place you can easily connect with when you think about learning.
- Try to minimise distractions both physically and digitally to create a more focused and relaxing study environment. Keep your study space tidy, free from festive clutter- including blinking lights- and remember to turn off social media notifications while you’re working to stay fully engaged.
- Gently share your boundaries with the people around you. Saying something like, “I’ll join you in an hour once my classwork is done,” can help others understand and support your commitments, making everyone feel more connected and respectful of each other’s needs.
Creating a cosy, dedicated space really helps your mind switch gears between relaxing and focusing on studies. It’s a lovely way to enjoy both worlds without stress.
Use the Pomodoro Technique (with a Festive Twist)
If you often find your attention wandering, give the Pomodoro technique a try — work for 25 minutes, enjoy a short 5-minute break, and then repeat. It’s straightforward, effective, and surprisingly perfect for the holiday season.
Here’s how to make it festive:
- Treat yourself after each session—perhaps with a delicious Christmas cookie, a leisurely walk under the sparkling holiday lights, or a lovely tune from your favourite carol. You’ve earned it!
- After completing four Pomodoros, enjoy a longer break filled with activities like calling a friend, decorating, or watching a delightful short holiday movie.
Turning productivity into a fun, reward-based activity can really help keep your motivation high and make the season’s joy last even longer.
Harness RKC’s Flexibility and Community Support
One of the wonderful benefits of studying with Robert Kennedy College is the flexibility offered by the OnlineCampus platform. You can easily access discussion forums, course materials, and recorded lectures from anywhere in the world — whether you’re travelling or relaxing at home, it’s all at your fingertips.
Make use of:
- You now have mobile access to your materials, so you can conveniently review lessons whenever you have some travel downtime. This way, learning stays flexible and easy to fit into your busy schedule!
- Participating in online discussions with your peers and tutors is a wonderful way to stay connected and motivated. Keeping this engagement alive can really help you stay accountable and focused on your studies, even amidst the busy holiday season.
- With project flexibility, many RKC programmes give you the freedom to plan your assignments ahead of time or work at your own pace. This way, you can schedule your submissions thoughtfully, making things a little easier during this busy period.
Remember, you’re never alone on your learning journey — your worldwide RKC community is always there, active around the clock across different time zones.
Set Realistic, Not Idealistic, Goals
It’s understandable to want to create an ambitious study plan to “catch up” or “get ahead” during the holidays. However, it’s often more helpful to focus on making steady progress without overloading yourself, as this can prevent burnout and disappointment. Remember, every small step counts, and consistent effort is key. Aim for progress, not perfection!
Ask yourself:
- What’s realistic for this festive season?
- Can I commit to small wins — reading one chapter, completing one post, revising one essay?
Reframing success as manageable daily goals helps keep you motivated and feel good about your progress. Remember, if you do a little less than usual sometimes, that’s totally okay. The main aim is to enjoy sustainable learning, not to be perfect or overly strict with yourself.
Balance Festivity with Mindfulness
It’s common to feel guilty sometimes, whether it’s about studying too little or too much. Remember to be kind to yourself and practice mindfulness: stay present and engaged in whatever you’re doing right now.
When you’re studying, give your full attention to your material, making it a productive time. When it’s time to celebrate, embrace every conversation, meal, or carol with joy, without any guilt. Truly separating these moments helps you avoid burnout and keeps your life balanced with both success and happiness.
You might even incorporate mindfulness into your study routine:
- Take three deep breaths before starting a study session.
- At the end of each day, take a moment to reflect on what you’re grateful for — your education, your family, or your progress.
Gratitude can be an unexpectedly powerful motivation during busy times.
Enjoy the Journey
Remember, this season, just like your studies, is a journey, not a race. If things don’t go perfectly as planned, don’t worry at all. Take a moment to adjust and keep going. Online study gives you the wonderful flexibility to live your life fully while learning in a meaningful way.
The world often seems to slow down around Christmas and New Year, creating a gentle invitation for reflection and renewal. It’s a wonderful time to recharge your spirit, celebrate how far you’ve come, and get ready for the exciting adventures that the new year has in store for you.
So, this festive season:
- Plan wisely.
- Stay flexible.
- Cherish family, faith, and fellowship.
- And return in the new year with renewed energy and focus.
From everyone at Robert Kennedy College, here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Successful New Year filled with learning, achievement, and joy!