Where has all the time gone? All too soon, the academic year has come to a close, and the year-end school holidays are here again!
With work-from-home still a norm across most of Singapore, and COVID-19 restrictions putting a damper on a lot of plans, the next best alternative is to spend it safely – and productive – at home!
Students may feel a lot of regret about the year that has passed, feeling that they did not study enough, they should have studied earlier, or sought help for certain subjects earlier. As we believe, it’s never too late. There’s always next year you can start getting geared up for, and we are here to help!
Apart from signing up for some tuition classes at Future Academy, here’s some more tips on how you can make the best use of your school holidays.
Set goals
Due to travel restrictions, ‘cruises to nowhere’ have become a thing. But don’t be that boat when it comes to your studies – you have to set clear goals so that you know where to point your rudder.
Take a stock check and review the subjects or topics you didn’t fare so well in for the exams. These could also be certain skills that you are lacking in, for example: essay writing, time management, checking your answers, and more. Once you know what you need to work on, you can then focus on those areas rather than waste time on what you already know.
If you are having trouble identifying your weaknesses, a tutor can also help you find out what skills and concepts you need help with, and provide the relevant type of practice.
Create a schedule
The year-end holidays may seem long, but it’s also so, so easy to just let it whizz past without having anything done (believe me, we’ve been there, and done that!).
That is why creating a timetable is useful for keeping yourself on track. Depending on your working style and comfort level, your timetable may be as detailed as listing out activities for each part of the day, or a goal that you want to achieve each week.
A word of caution here: Don’t be too ambitious! Some people try to finish too many things, and end up getting discouraged when they can’t keep up with their plans. Instead, set a realistic and achievable schedule – and reward yourself when you stick to it!
Invent new ways to learn
Perhaps there’s a topic or concept you can’t wrap your head around no matter how hard you try. Maybe, reading it off the textbook or your notes isn’t the best way to cram it into your head. Why not try a different way to learn?
Search up some animated explainer videos that break down the concepts in a fun and interesting way, or conduct your own home science experiments! If you’re someone who learns through actions, you could even create your own dance or hand signs to help you remember certain points. If you’re in luck, there might be a museum exhibit you can visit to learn more about subjects like history, literature, or art.
It’s the holidays! Don’t restrict yourself to your study room. Changing up the rhythm and activities of learning will help you sustain your interest and motivation for much longer.
Learn a new skill
Getting good grades at school isn’t everything there is to life! You can still have a fruitful holiday while exploring other interests. These hobbies may also have a practical purpose of adding to your non-academic record, showing off your passions, eagerness to learn, and all-roundedness to prospective school admissions officers, or even hiring managers down the road.
From sports camps to coding classes, there’s plenty of workshops and courses in Singapore for you to kickstart your learning journey. With more free time during the holidays, now’s the time to pick up a new instrument or learn digital art!
Make time for play!
It’s the holidays, after all! You deserve a break – so do something you enjoy! Play and rest has many benefits of their own. They help your body and mind recharge and recalibrate itself, boosting your performance once you are back to the grind.
Taking time off from your studies can be a winning move for your productivity, provided it is done with self-control and moderation. It is also a good opportunity to spend more time with family, hang out with friends, and practice some self-care with regular exercise and healthy eating.
Conclusion
Spending your holidays productively requires active planning and conscious effort! Otherwise, you may find yourself on New Year’s Day, wondering with regret: What did I do at all during the holidays???
The year-end holidays can go so far as to make a great impact on how you begin your next year. We’re sure you’ll want to start confidently and conquer the year – so we hope that our advice can come in handy to help you have a productive holiday!
Want to jumpstart your holiday with some catch-up and head-start classes? We have classes such as IP Math Tuition open for registration now. Simply drop us a message or call to enquire about our available classes!