All kids look forward to vacations as a much-needed break from the mundane routine. While vacations are great for relaxing and focusing entirely on oneself, they should also accommodate some time to keep up with academic goals. Today, through this blog post, we at Delhi Public School Kangra, one of the top 10 CBSE schools in Kangra, would like to remind all students not to lose touch with their academic goals during vacations; otherwise, resuming studies after holidays becomes extremely challenging.
Even limiting the study time to an hour a day and keeping the remaining time for enjoyment can help kids maintain their academic momentum while cultivating a mindset of continuous learning and self-improvement. If you want to set and achieve study goals during vacations without giving up the relaxation and enjoyment aspects, follow the tips shared below.
-
Assess Your Needs and Priorities
We recommend kids to begin by conducting an unbiased self-evaluation test. It will help them identify what deserves their most attention and what can be postponed to the post-vacation period. If you’ve never done a self-evaluation test before, sit comfortably in a calm place and ask yourself questions about your current academic standing, upcoming examinations, the subjects you need to improve, etc.
For example, if your self-assessment highlights that you’ve constantly scored low marks in mathematics, you can consider strengthening the subject’s fundamental concepts during vacation time. Assessing academic weaknesses can make it easier for students to set relevant study goals that align with their requirements.
-
Set Realistic and Achievable Goals
Once you’ve identified the academic areas that deserve your most attention, focus on crafting realistic and achievable goals. Follow the SMART approach to design the best study plan. For the uninitiated, SMART goals refer to goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. We at Delhi Public School Kangra have always recommended this approach to our students because it helps remove vagueness from study plans.
For example, a vague study goal can be ‘I want to improve in Chemistry’ because it lacks clarity. You can make it SMART by changing it to ‘I will score at least 70% marks in Chemistry by gaining a strong foundational knowledge of relevant chapter-wise topics and practicing test papers, reviewing core concepts, and seeking guidance from teachers.’ When your goals are time-bound, clear, and aligned with your academic objective, you will always be better positioned to craft realistic and result-driven study goals.
-
Create a Study Plan and Schedule
After following the first two steps, create a study plan and schedule that keeps you on track with your academic pursuits. If you have a larger goal, we recommend breaking it into smaller and more manageable chunks. For example, if you have a science examination after the holidays, you can set a study plan for solving five test papers to gauge your knowledge and prepare accordingly.
Now, instead of trying to finish all the test papers within a few days, spread them out at frequent schedules and solve them only during your peak productivity hours. It will ensure you prepare well for the upcoming examination without sacrificing play, enjoyment, and relaxation time. You can also incorporate adequate break hours during practice sessions to avoid burnout. Keep reviewing and tweaking the schedule based on the results you get.
-
Stay Focused and Motivated Not to Lose the Momentum
We at Delhi Public School Kangra, ranked among the top 10 CBSE schools in Kangra, understand that getting distracted from study goals during holidays is easier, but there are ways to stick to the planned schedule. We recommend following simple tips like decluttering your study table, studying in a distraction-free and noise-free space, and using productivity tools like website blockers, time trackers, and to-do lists to avoid losing sight of the most important tasks at hand.
You can also plan to create an accountability group with your friends. It will ensure that everyone sticks to their set academic goals and exchange real-time tips that are working for each. Whenever procrastination strikes, take a break and reassess your approach.
Additionally, try and practice daily mindfulness activities like meditation, deep breathing, journaling, exercise, etc. Celebrating small milestones can also keep you motivated to achieve the set goals during vacations.
Conclusion
While we know children generally resist the idea of studying during vacations, the fact is that planning the studies well during the vacations can contribute significantly to their personal growth and academic success. It teaches them to take ownership of their academic pursuits while fostering crucial life skills like time management, self-discipline, and a strong growth mindset focused on continuous learning. The entire process can lead students to self-discovery as they set aside time to take their self-evaluation test and chart a personalized study plan.
No doubt vacations are meant for enjoyment, relaxation, and a break from the monotonous study schedule, but it shouldn’t be viewed as entirely a no-study period. We have seen that kids who show dedication and perseverance toward planning out their study schedule during vacations come out victorious in their academic as well as extracurricular pursuits. You, too, can successfully transform your vacations into catalysts for personal growth, setting the stage for lifetime achievements.