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Grant Golub

March 31st, 2021

How to Productively Use the Easter Break

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Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Grant Golub

March 31st, 2021

How to Productively Use the Easter Break

0 comments

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

There’s only one week left of Lent Term, which is hard to fathom considering it feels like the semester started only yesterday. It’s difficult to believe January was so long ago. But soon enough, the final week of this term will come and go, and before you know it, you’ll be on a well-deserved break until early May. As the break begins, it’s vital you get some real rest. The past few months have been difficult on us all, and for both your physical and mental well-being, you need to take some time to relax. And I mean really relaxing. No schoolwork, no studying, no exam preparation. Take a moment to do something fun and get your mind off university. It’s going to help you more fully recharge and plunge into exam season come May.

At the same time though, you don’t want to completely blow off exam and essay preparation. I don’t want this to sound contradictory – you need to take it easy. Yet, the Easter break is roughly a month long, so there’s time to do both. My recommendation is to take the first two weeks to rest, and around mid-April, to start slowly getting yourself back into the study rhythm. You don’t want to lose the momentum you’ve been building over this academic year to suddenly be lost.

My number one suggestion for studying over break is to do outline potential essay topics for your take-home exams or final summative essays. This is a great exercise because not only does it help you keep the material fresh in your mind, but it also helps strengthen your essay skills. These will be crucial for your final exams. When you hit the exams, you’ll want to be at the peak of your powers. That only comes through diligence and preparation. It does not come naturally. The more preparation you do, the better prepared you will be for the exams and the less likely it will be you’ll have an off day or exam period. One bad day can trip you up, so you want to inoculate yourself against that by preparing topics for the exam.

While you’re doing this, use the other resources at your disposal. Your professors and class teachers are still available for guidance and mentorship, so don’t be afraid to use them. Send them mock essay outlines or get their tips on how to approach final essays and exams. They’re a valuable asset, so you’ll want to make full use of them. It’s going to put you in the best position possible to conquer your final work for this year and cruise into the summer.

But before that, finish this semester strong and then take it easy. You deserve it. Good luck!

About the author

Grant Golub

My name is Grant Golub and I'm a PhD candidate in the Department of International History at LSE. My research focuses on US foreign relations and grand strategy, diplomatic history, and Anglo-American relations.

Posted In: Student life | Study: Masters | Study: PhD | Study: Undergraduate

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