It’s the holidays. Do you revise? Do you relax? How do you do both?
Back in my North Sydney Boys days, I remember struggling with this debate every holiday period. These feelings were particularly strong throughout Year 11 when things felt slightly more serious (cue panicked thoughts of “I’m almost in Year 12!”).
There’s no perfect one-size-fits-all answer to the question. But I will say, that a smidge of light study is great for keeping momentum going, so you’re prepped and ready for the next term.
You don’t need a gruelling minute-by-minute study plan, just a bit of structure.
Here’s how I started reviewing content properly in the holidays — and what an actual week in my life looked like when I finally got it right.
Why should you review or pre-learn content?
There’s no point getting into the “how” before we address the “why”, let’s quickly discuss why you should even be doing this. A major advantage of studying in the holidays is that you have less pressure, and more time (since you aren’t spending 6 hours a day at school).
Your study should be broken into 2 categories - reviewing old content, and pre-learning new content.
Reviewing old content helps with:
- Memory and retention. If you’re interested, do a bit of research into the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve, and spaced repetition!
- Identifying content gaps. It’s easier to patch up small holes now, before they get exponentially bigger.
- Connecting new and old knowledge. Syllabus dot points don’t exist in silos - they’re usually all interconnected. Reviewing old content before learning new stuff can help with painting a better picture of what you’re learning.
And pre-learning? Game-changer. Even basic exposure to next term’s content gives you a serious edge when school starts again. Imagine how great it feels to be taught something new in class, and understand it immediately because you had a preview. This is especially true in content-heavy subjects!
How long should I study for in the holidays?
There’s no “golden rule”, but the general rule of thumb is quality over quantity.
What worked great for me on a daily basis, was:
- 2–3 hours of deep work per day
- Remainder of the day for guilt-free relaxation
Remember the key is to be deliberate with your time, and maximise efficiency.
If you want more tips on how to study smart (not just hard), check out “How to study for HSC: Constructing Study Habits”. It’s full of good tips that are great to start implementing today!
A week in my life (holiday edition)
Here’s what a realistic study week looked like for me. It might help you get a gist of how to strike that balance between productivity and relaxation.
Monday: The Setup Day
Focus: Planning + first review block
Study: 2.5 hrs
- 9:30am–10:15am — Holiday plan in Notion: calendar blocks, red-yellow-green content audit
- 10:15am–11:15am — Reviewed Chem Module 5 (Equilibrium) via flashcards + blurting
- 11:15am–12:00pm — Timed short answer Chem Qs (2019 HSC)
Rest of day: Watched a film, went for a walk
Note: This is the most important day. Getting organised early gives you momentum and clarity.
Tuesday: Catch-Up Day
Focus: Weak areas across core subjects
Study: 3 hrs
- 9:00am–9:50am — Bio Module 3 (Pathogens): review concept map + active recall
- 10:10am–11:00am — Wrote English paragraph for Module A essay + got feedback from a friend
- 11:20am–12:30pm — Pre-learned dot-points from Module 6 Chem: Acids + Bases via video + basic summary sheet
Rest of day: Met up with a friend, chilled in a bookstore
Strategy: Mix revision with light pre-learning. You don’t need to master new content, just familiarise.
Wednesday: Pre-Learning Day
Focus: Build a head start
Study: 2 hrs
- 10:00am–11:00am — Read Module C English text for next term + made a quote bank
- 11:20am–12:20pm — Pre-watched Project Academy walkthrough for Module 6 Chem
Rest of day: Took my brother to the park, did nothing academic after lunch
Tip: Reading ahead in English during the holidays made me feel like I had time to think about the text instead of rushing annotations in class.
Thursday: Practice Exam Day
Focus: Application + timed conditions
Study: 2.5 hrs
- 9:00am–10:30am — Wrote a full English essay (Module A), self-marked using rubric
- 11:00am–12:00pm — Past paper Bio questions (15 markers)
Rest of day: Grocery run, prepped lunch for the week
Tip: Practising under timed conditions is the closest thing to real preparation. I always blocked one day for this during holidays.
Friday: Review + Reflect
Focus: Reinforce weak spots
Study: 1.5 hrs
- 10:30am–12:00pm — Re-did past questions I got wrong + revised wrong answers using teacher’s marking guide
- Reviewed and updated notes on Chem Module 5 based on practice errors
Rest of day: Called a friend, watched cricket highlights
Strategy: Mistake-based learning is underrated. Don’t just do past papers — actually review and re-do them.
Saturday: Complete Rest
Focus: Reset
Study: None
Slept in, baked, saw a movie with family, went on a long walk.
Important: Scheduling a rest day into your study plan makes it restorative — not a source of guilt.
Sunday: Transition + Light Review
Focus: Prep for school
Study: 2 hrs
- 9:00am–10:30am — Summarised what I covered this week + created “questions to ask teacher” doc
- 10:30am–11:00am — Organised desk + printed class timetable for next term
Note: Your Sunday isn’t for cramming. Use it to transition smoothly back into term mode.
What study techniques actually work (especially in holidays)?
Traffic Light Audit
Review each topic and mark it:
- 🔴 Don’t understand
- 🟡 Half understand
- 🟢 Confident
Focus mostly on reds and yellows.
Active Recall & Blurt Method
- Write out what you know without looking at notes
- Fill in the gaps after — that’s where learning happens
Light Pre-Learning
- Read the syllabus outcomes
- Watch 1–2 intro videos
- Make flashcards or a concept map
You don’t need to fully learn it yet — just reduce the unfamiliarity.
It’s not about doing more — it’s about doing what matters
The holidays aren’t a punishment or a productivity contest. They’re a chance to breathe, reset, and prepare.
You don’t need to study for 6 hours a day. You don’t need to master every topic.
What you do need is:
- A plan that works for your real life
- A clear sense of priorities
- The courage to rest without guilt
Build momentum now — not by grinding nonstop, but by being deliberate, focused, and kind to yourself.
That’s how you make the holidays work for you.
If you’re reading this, about to head into your last term of Year 11, you might also be interested in “How to Approach Your Final Term in Year 11, from a 99+ ATAR Graduate”.
