Managing Prep Anxiety Through the Holidays

KatherineatKaplan

Any other year, the holidays are a time for anxious excitement, but if you ever find yourself preparing for the February bar exam, you know that the holiday season is filled with a new version of anxiety that's not so holly and jolly. Here are three pro tips for folks who have been in your holiday slippers before to help you strategize how to manage your prep anxiety throughout the holidays.

1. Use the Pomodoro Technique with Holiday Rewards

• The Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of focused work, followed by a 5-minute break) can help you maintain high productivity while avoiding burnout. During your breaks, treat yourself to a holiday activity—like listening to your favorite festive song, grabbing a warm drink, or lighting a seasonal candle—something that feels like a reward. The key is making these breaks something you look forward to, which can turn studying into a more enjoyable process. Check out “winter study ambience” videos on Youtube to make your study space more pleasant, as well!

2. Leverage "Mental Offloading"

• When your brain is overloaded with to-dos and worries about studying and social obligations, write everything down. Keep a "brain dump" journal or a to-do list that includes both academic tasks and personal goals (like holiday shopping or family events). Writing things out clears your mental space, reduces anxiety, and helps you prioritize what truly matters. This makes it easier to focus on one task at a time instead of feeling like you're juggling everything at once.

3. Capitalize on "Microstudying"

• Rather than trying to block out hours for deep study sessions, make use of small pockets of time during the holidays. For example, while you're waiting for food to cook or during a commute, review flashcards or listen to a podcast related to your subject. This allows you to make progress without feeling like you’re sacrificing holiday fun, and it's often less daunting than long study sessions. You’d be surprised how much cumulative studying you can do with these microbursts of effort!

These pro tips blend productivity with self-care and help you make the most of the holiday season without letting study anxiety take over. Give bar prep your all, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying your holidays with your loved ones. Commit to balancing both and you will crush your prep this season.