Balancing festive fun and exams: My December study routine

’Tis the season to be jolly and productive!

December is easily one of the most festive months of the year, but for students it’s also one of the most intense, as assignments pile up and January exams start looming over us. During this time, finding a balance between enjoying the festivities and staying on top of work becomes so important. With that in mind, I wanted to share my December study routine, which helps me keep up with revision while still soaking in all the Christmas vibes at Warwick.

How I plan my December study routine:

Having a proper routine in place is honestly a lifesaver. It keeps me organised and gives me enough structure to actually sit down and study, while still leaving plenty of time to have fun with friends and enjoy all the seasonal events.

I start by looking at my closest deadlines, upcoming assignments, coursework, and exams, to figure out what needs the most attention. Once I know my priorities, I make a weekly plan with specific study blocks for each task. I then look through my calendar to identify exact time slots where those study sessions can fit in – whether that’s a free hour between lectures, a quiet morning before classes, or a couple of uninterrupted hours in the evening. Mapping out these blocks alongside my regular commitments makes my week feel much more manageable and stops me from hoping I’ll just “find time” later.

For example, if I have an essay due in a week, I’ll usually assign around three hours a day to work on it, while keeping smaller slots open for other modules. This way, I’m still progressing across my classes and not getting stuck focusing only on one subject. Switching things up genuinely keeps me motivated and helps prevent burnout.

How I actually get started:

Once the plan is made, you’d think getting started would be easy – but nope. The urge to procrastinate is real. What helps me the most is putting on some good concentration music and using the Pomodoro technique to stay focused. I also recommend filming a timelapse while studying; it sounds silly, but knowing you're “on camera” makes you  way less tempted to check your phone and wander off task.

A day in my life: Study + festive fun

Now that you know the planning side of things, here’s what a typical December day looks like for me.

I start with a quick breakfast and head to any early morning classes. On days when I don’t have classes first thing, I use that quiet morning time for the biggest task of the day – usually whatever assignment or revision I’ve prioritised.

After that, I love grabbing a festive drink with friends from one of the many cafés on campus. We usually end up wandering around doing a mini treasure hunt trying to spot all the Christmas trees. Fun fact: WBS already has three!

Once I feel refreshed, I either head to more classes or return to studying for the remaining tasks on my to-do list. Later in the afternoon, I like to do some quick meal prep for the week so I don’t have to spend too much time cooking during busy days.

Evenings in December are perfect for visiting the Birmingham Christmas Market. The lights, music, food, and general festive chaos always put me in a good mood. If you go, be sure to try the foods you haven’t tasted before, and, if you’re brave, go ice skating!

After a fun (and slightly exhausting) evening, I usually finish off with some light revision of lecture or seminar notes before winding down with calming festive music. And yes, I really try to sleep early – sleep is honestly so important for staying sane during such a full-on month.

That, my fellow readers, is what an ideal December day looks like for me: a mix of productivity, cosy vibes, and festive fun. It’s definitely a busy month, and you may not always have a perfect day, but keep following your routine and you can stay on top of your studies while enjoying everything the season has to offer.