Skip to content
How to Study Over the Holidays IB Tips

How to Study Over the Holidays IB Tips

3 min read | Lanterna Team | January 27, 2026

Learn how to Study Over the Holidays with expert IB Tips. Follow our revision tips for assessing goals, planning rounds, improving your study space, and effective revision.

It’s time for part 2 of our studying over the holidays series! We hope that you’ve had a lovely time with your family and friends. If you’re ready to get back into studying before school starts up again, you’re in the right place! Here we’ll take you through our top tips for studying over the holidays.

Tip 1: Assess where you’re at

It’s part way through the holidays at this point so it’s a good moment to take stock of where you’re at. If you set goals at the beginning of the break, it’s time to revisit them. Go through and tick off any you’ve met already.

Now, take a look at the ones you have left. Are you on track with your study plan? Are you going to be able to accomplish all the goals that are left? Is there anything else that you want to get done before heading back to school?

The next step is to create a new and improved goals list for the rest of the holidays.

Tip 2: Have a second planning round

Using your new goals list, take a look at how many days you have left before going back to school. Do you need to change your study plan to meet your goals before then?

It’s more than fine to adjust your plan! Remember, your study plan is there to help you. If it’s not working, change it up!

Tip 3: Improve your studying space

Chances are things have gotten a bit messy over the holidays! It’s much easier to work in a space that is tidy. Taking 10 or 15 minutes to take old mugs to the kitchen, throw away any rubbish, and organise any notes that are lying around will make it much easier to get back into studying. Set a timer and blast some music to make it more pleasant!

In the winter, making sure you have a good light source at your desk is more important than ever. It’s so easy to get sleepy when it gets dark. A bright light will help you stay awake.

Also, you might find it tricky to get time on your own to study with family around during the holidays. If you can, find a study space with a door that you can close! Don’t be afraid to put a ‘do not disturb’ sign on it. Remember to take it down when you’re done so that family members know that it’s serious when it’s up.

Tip 4: Get studying!

Now it’s time to actually study! If you’re revising for exams or mocks, it can be really helpful to use this time where you don’t have to worry about day to day work to go back to basics.

Take a look at the syllabus for each subject to see what you need to know. Then, prioritise what you look at based on how well you currently remember it. Topics you covered at the beginning of the school year are probably a bit hazy by now!

If you have deadlines right when school starts again, how you’re working will look a bit different. Instead of having topics to cover, you’ll probably have tasks to do to get projects finished.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by what needs to be done before you go back to school, try numbering your tasks in the order that you’re going to do them. This method doesn’t give a time frame to complete each task and so can be a less stressful way of planning!

Remember that the work you’re doing now will make the rest of the academic year easier! If you find that you’re stuck on a certain topic or need a helping hand with getting on top of revision generally, we can help. Check out our YouTube videos here.

Lanterna Team
Lanterna Team
We’re the Lanterna Team — a group of 600+ IB expert tutors, ranging from 45/45 IB graduates to IB teachers with 30+ years of teaching and examiner experience.

For over 20 years, we’ve supported tens of thousands IB students worldwide with one clear focus: making high achievement feel more doable. Our team of experienced tutors have come together to combine their deep curriculum knowledge with practical strategies that are proven to work.

Whether you’re building strong foundations in DP1, pushing for a final stretch in DP2, or looking for clarity on what to prioritise, we’re here to help you study smarter, stay confident, and get results.

Why Lanterna?

Lanterna Education is the largest IB-focused education provider worldwide, supporting students in over 250 partner schools across 80+ countries. Based in Stockholm, we have over 20 years of experience helping IB students achieve the best possible score in the IB.
15,000+
IB students tutored
1.5+
Avg. IB Subject grade Increase
36/45
Median final IB score for students
4.7
Trustpilot score

Holidays offer a valuable opportunity to consolidate learning, catch up on challenging topics, or get ahead. It can significantly reduce stress during term time and prepare you better for upcoming exams, Internal Assessments (IAs), and Extended Essays (EEs).

Start by reviewing any study goals you set at the beginning of the break. Tick off what you've accomplished, then critically evaluate remaining goals. Ask yourself if you're on track and if anything needs adjusting. This helps create a realistic and achievable plan for the rest of the holidays.

It's perfectly fine to adjust your plan! Your study plan is a tool to help you, not a rigid rule. Re-evaluate your remaining time and tasks, and don't hesitate to modify your schedule or priorities to make it more effective and manageable. Flexibility is key to sustainable study.

A tidy, well-lit, and quiet space is crucial. Take 10-15 minutes to declutter, organise notes, and ensure good lighting, especially during darker seasons. If family is around, try to find a space where you can close the door and use a "do not disturb" sign to minimise interruptions.

Use this time to go back to basics. Review your subject syllabuses to identify all required content. Prioritise topics you covered earlier in the year or those you find most challenging, as these are likely to be "hazy" and will benefit most from dedicated revision.

Break down large projects into smaller, numbered tasks. This method helps you focus on one step at a time without feeling overwhelmed by strict timelines. Prioritise tasks that are critical or require input from others, ensuring you make steady progress.

Our Student Success Experts can help you analyse your current progress, identify key areas for improvement, and develop a personalised, realistic study plan for the holidays and beyond. They understand the IB curriculum inside out and can guide you on what to prioritise for maximum impact.

Lanterna's expert IB tutors are available to provide targeted support across all IB subjects and levels. Whether it's a complex concept in Maths, a challenging essay in English, or a tricky experiment in Science, our tutors can clarify doubts, explain difficult material, and help you build confidence.

The Lanterna IB consultation is a free, no-pressure 20-30 minute call with one of our expert IB Student Success Experts. It's designed to give you clarity on your academic situation, discuss your challenges, and help you create a simple, personalised plan for success in the IB Diploma.

Yes, it's genuinely 100% free with absolutely no obligation to book tutoring. Our goal is to provide valuable guidance and support to IB students and parents. You'll walk away with a clear plan, priorities, and actionable next steps, regardless of whether you choose to continue with our services.

Our Student Success Experts are highly experienced IB graduates and educators who have a deep understanding of the IB Diploma Programme. They've guided thousands of students through their IB journey and are adept at identifying individual needs and crafting effective strategies for academic improvement and stress reduction.

Lanterna offers personalised online tutoring across all IB subjects and levels (SL/HL). Our 600+ tutors, many of whom scored 40+ in the IB, have 10+ years of teaching experience, or have examiner experience, provide tailored support for IAs, EEs, TOK, exam preparation, and general academic improvement, helping you achieve your full potential.


More free resources

How to Study Over the Holidays for IB Students
Study SkillsWellnessHolidaysDP1DP2Students

How to Study Over the Holidays for IB Students

Learn how to study over the holidays for IB success. Expert revision tips on setting goals, choosing a studying style, and creating a clear plan without sacrificing relaxation.

DP1 to DP2 Summer Support Guide
DP1DP2StudentsParentsHumanitiesSciencesMaths...

DP1 to DP2 Summer Support Guide

Maximize your IB student's DP1 to DP2 summer. Get expert tips for parents on balancing rest with essential preparation for the Extended Essay (EE) and final exams.

Ultimate Pre-IB Summer Reading List
Pre-IBStudentsEnglishHumanitiesIAsEETOK...

Ultimate Pre-IB Summer Reading List

Get the ultimate Pre-IB Summer Reading List: Handpicked books (fiction & non-fiction) to build the critical thinking, cultural capital, and analysis skills essential for English, TOK, and Humanities.

IB ESS Winter Break Revision Strategy 2026
DP2StudentsHumanitiesSciencesIAsMocksExams...

IB ESS Winter Break Revision Strategy 2026

Master your IB ESS revision during winter break with our sample schedule. Balance IA catch-up work and essential rest to ensure DP2 success.

How to Study for the IB Diploma Over Summer
EEStudy SkillsWellnessHolidaysDP1DP2Students

How to Study for the IB Diploma Over Summer

Study for the IB Diploma over summer effectively without burning out. Get expert IB revision tips on scheduling, realistic planning, and focusing on your weakness areas.

How to Plan Your IB Revision Schedule & Avoid Burnout
ExamsStudy SkillsWellnessDP1DP2Students

How to Plan Your IB Revision Schedule & Avoid Burnout

Learn how to plan your IB revision schedule effectively and avoid study burnout with expert revision tips, including ideal daily study hours and flexible timetables.

How to Prepare for IB Exams: Top Tips & Strategies
StudentsExamsStudy SkillsWellnessAI ToolsDP1DP2...

How to Prepare for IB Exams: Top Tips & Strategies

Learn how to prepare for IB exams with proven strategies and revision tips from an IB graduate. Master planning, self-care, and effective study methods.

Last-Minute IB Exam Tips
DP2SciencesMathsIAsEETOKUltimate Guide...

Last-Minute IB Exam Tips

Master the final days before your IB exams! Get essential last-minute exam tips: what to do and what to avoid (sleep, not cramming new content). from IB 40+ grads.


Professional Support for the Final Push

For over 21 years, we at Lanterna have guided over 15,000 students to success in the IB. We have 500+ expert tutors that can support you in any subject.
 

GRADUATES

Scored 40+ in the IB and 7s in the subjects they teach
Best for: skill-building & relatable mentorship
 

TEACHERS

Certified educators with 10+ years’ IB experience
Best for: curriculum clarity & confidence building
 

EXAMINERS

Current or former IB examiners & senior markers
Best for: exam preparation & top-band results

 

BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION TODAY

Our student success experts give you personalised advice on how to best succeed in your journey.
100% Free · No obligation

Stockholm based, supporting students worldwide. We are IB experts committed to achieving your academic goals.

ABOUT US

Get In Touch

Sibyllegatan 47, Stockholm Sweden, 114 42

Contact us

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. COPYRIGHT 2025. LANTERNA EDUCATION LTD, NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE IBO
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. COPYRIGHT 2025. LANTERNA EDUCATION LTD, NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE IBO