Come November, memes start popping up in PhD circles online, all sharing the same joke: being wished Happy Holidays by the very supervisor who will expect a full draft the moment the break ends.
Oh, the irony.
Now that my PhD is behind me, I laugh at those jokes, but back then, those jokes felt all too real. I remember feeling torn between the need to rest and the fear of falling behind on my PhD tasks. It is true that the guilt of taking a break can feel heavier than the workload itself.
Whether it is your first festive season as a PhD student or not, I have put together some practical advice that helped me survive the holidays, rest a little, and return to my work feeling ready for the new year.
How to have a guilt-free Christmas
Plan ahead
Plan ahead for December and the early part of the new year. List the projects you need to complete and their deadlines. You can also make a small plan for your first day back. By writing down your projects, either in a notebook or in a Gantt chart in Excel, you can stay organised and focused on meeting your deadlines.
Organise yourself
Use a calendar to allocate days for work and days to recharge. You can do this on your smartphone or in a planner, and set reminders if needed. Seeing your schedule visually helps you stay organised, ensures you get proper breaks, and gives you permission to relax on rest days without feeling guilty.
Prioritise your tasks
You may have a long list of tasks to complete, but not everything has to be finished by a certain date. Focus on the tasks with the nearest deadlines and make a note of the rest. Knowing what to prioritise before the holidays and what can wait until January makes it easier to step away from your work and reduces stress.
Stay motivate
Procrastination can be tricky, especially during the holiday season. Even so, there will be days when you really need to work and feel like putting things off.
On these days, try to push yourself to complete the tasks that need doing. Even if they are repetitive or administrative, such as updating your reference list, doing something is always better than doing nothing.
You may also wish to use the holiday season to catch up on overdue tasks while being free from the distractions of campus life. You know your schedule and deadlines best, so plan accordingly, but don’t forget to make time for yourself. Even small progress can boost your mood and reduce stress.
Set boundaries
Equally important, you need to set boundaries and switch off notifications during your days off. If necessary, set an out-of-office message and try not to check your emails during the public holidays.
Remember, it is important to let people know in advance, including your supervisor, that you are offline so you can truly step away from research and enjoy quality rest. Yes, it is perfectly fine to keep your research laptop off!
Do not compare
You should not compare yourself with your peers who may be working on their research during the holiday. Their schedule and deadlines are different to yours. Everyone works in their own way, and you need to remember that taking breaks is essential to maintaining your long-term focus.
Reflect on achievements
Before you switch off for your winter holidays, take a moment to consider what you have accomplished so far. Even small achievements matter, so give yourself credit, as it will help you rest without feeling guilty.
You may also wish to reconnect with your motivation by reflecting on why you started your PhD and what you hope to achieve in the future. This can give you something positive to look forward to when you return in the new year.
Relax!
PhD students are often used to working around the clock, which means they rarely have time to relax or enjoy hobbies.
During your holiday, take the opportunity to engage in activities that have nothing to do with your PhD. Bake, travel, or read for pleasure. Treat yourself to things that make you happy, maybe a favourite film, or a special meal. Doing something different can help you escape your routine and lift your spirits.
Try not to actively think about your research, but it may still be at the back of your mind. When you are relaxed, you might even come across a fantastic idea for your PhD, but don’t feel you need to put it on paper on your day off.
Don’t forget your well-being
The holidays are also a time to focus on your physical and mental well-being. Try to sleep better, eat well, and, if you can, exercise, even if it is just a brief visit to a wintry park. Do things that help your mind feel calmer and more relaxed.
If necessary, taking a break from social media and the perfectly curated, Christmas-glittered lives of others can be quite therapeutic.
Connect with friends
Use the time to connect with family and friends. Focus on conversations about life outside your research and join in festive activities that can lift your mood and help you feel more relaxed.
Of course, while spending time with others at festive dinners, you may be asked awkward questions such as, “When are you going to finish your PhD?” You could respond politely and with humour, keeping the atmosphere positive while protecting your mental wellbeing. My personal favourite was: “The festive research elves are on it! I’ll check back after the New Year”.
Advice for parents
For parents doing PhDs, balancing PhD work with parenting over the holidays can be tough. Plan short, focused work sessions when the children are occupied or asleep, but also allow yourself guilt-free, quality family time.
Sharing your schedule in advance with your partner or support network can help everyone plan around it and allow both work and family time to be managed smoothly.
Advice for working PhDs
And if you are a working PhD student, set clear boundaries between work, PhD tasks, and holiday time in your calendar. PhD students doing seasonal work may find balancing jobs and research challenging, but it is still possible to enjoy their break. With your mental health in mind, plan your shifts carefully and allocate time for personal rest and light PhD tasks.
Finally
Taking time off as a PhD student can feel impossible, but the winter break is the perfect time to step back, plan ahead, and give yourself permission to rest. Return recharged, focused, and ready to tackle your workload in the new year. Enjoy the holidays!
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