Christmas break as a Nigerian undergraduate is not the dreamy, hot-chocolate-and-cozy-sweater kind of holiday we see in movies. While the air smells of dusty harmattan, white rice, chicken, and burnt firewood, there’s also that tiny voice in your head whispering, “Na who chop today dey get energy, wisdom, and stamina to write first semester exams…”

So what do you do when you’re between the devil (jolly holiday enjoyment, sleep, a very long rest), and the red sea (exams right after the holiday)? 

Let’s gist...

1. First Things First: No Guilt-Tripping Yourself

You’re human, not a robot. Yes, exams are important, but so is your mental health. Holidays are meant to reset you, my dear, so use this Christmas holiday wisely. Don’t let every bite of meat remind you of a material you haven’t read, or the assignment you haven’t done.

Bite that chicken with your full chest. Nothing’s gonna happen.

2. Make a “Chop-and-Read” Schedule

Yes, I know I already said you can bite that meat with your full chest, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make plans to read at all.

Let me tell you a short story:

In the vast open savannahs lived a peculiar ostrich that roamed freely, tall, fast, and powerful. What made this ostrich peculiar is a singular habit it always exhibited. Whenever danger approached or life threw a challenge its way, the ostrich would dig a hole and bury its head in the ground, thinking that if it couldn’t see the problem, then the problem didn’t exist.

Lions would lurk nearby. Storms would roll in. But the ostrich kept its head down, refusing to face reality.

Soon, the other animals began to whisper. “Why does the mighty ostrich hide from the world?” Well, I would have said it’s shy, but the wise tortoise replied, “Because it's afraid. It thinks ignoring the danger will make it disappear.”

How does this story apply to you?

When you keep enjoying yourself every day to make yourself feel better by ignoring the incoming challenge, you are “burying your head in the sand.” You ignore deadlines, pretend the exam will write itself anyway, and avoid responsibility. This is similar to getting yourself drunk to temporarily forget a difficult situation you’re in.

Ignoring a problem doesn't make it go away. Like the ostrich, you can’t hide from the storm forever. You have to lift your head and face it. Only then can you find solutions, grow stronger, and pass your exam.

So for this holiday, there’s no need for complicated study planners. A simple to-do list will do. 

Mornings? Factor in 1 hour revision. 

Afternoons? Nap, rest, or chill. 

Evenings? Join the family for hangouts. 

Night? Watch a Christmas movie or revise previous flashcards. 

You can tie it to a reading time, i.e., intentinally read something immediately after each meal.

Keep it light but intentional.

3. Start With What Scares You

We all have that one course that makes our chest tight. That’s the one to face now, you’re relaxed, you’re not rushing. 

This is the perfect time to revisit that scary topic and master it without any pressure.

But if you're in the category of people who have hectic times even in holidays, start with that scary topic in the morning before you run off to work. Create time for it.

Save the best (your favorite course) for last. Make those favorites the very last thing you do before you sleep every day. This makes it fresher in your brain and doesn't get pushed aside because it is your favourite. That'd be over-confidence and it isn't advisable.

We'd talk more about this in part II of this series.

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