Be super productive this holiday season—here’s how! A Practical Guide for CIMA and ACCA Students

The holidays may disrupt your routine, but they don’t have to derail your progress. With the right mindset, you can combine festive cheer with exam prep—and emerge in January ready to conquer your goals.??

1. Plan Like an Accountant

You wouldn’t prepare a financial report without a schedule, so don’t tackle your studies without one.

• Tip: Create a holiday-friendly timetable. Dedicate mornings to study (when your mind is sharp and distractions are fewer) and leave afternoons or evenings for family, Netflix marathons, or a well-earned mince pie.
• Example: If you’ve got 2 hours, tackle one topic (e.g., budgeting variances) with focused effort rather than cramming five half-hearted ones.

2. Set Micro Goals

Ambitious goals can overwhelm you. Instead, break your study tasks into smaller chunks.

• Tip: Instead of saying, “I’ll revise costing methods today,” commit to “learning absorption costing by lunch.” Small wins keep motivation high.
• Example: Treat every completed task like unwrapping a gift—each one brings you closer to exam success!

3. Holiday-Proof Your Study Space

With relatives barging in and festive tunes on loop, distractions are everywhere.

• Tip: Find a quiet corner (even if it’s the pantry). Noise-cancelling headphones and a “Do Not Disturb” sign can work wonders.
• Example: Try our mock exams and question banks as the perfect way to simulate real exam pressure and test understanding.

4. Use Festive Downtime Wisely

Use moments like long car rides or waiting for the turkey to roast as study opportunities.

• Tip: Listen to ACCA or CIMA podcasts, or review flashcards.
• Example: Instead of doom-scrolling Instagram, quiz yourself on financial ratios during commercial breaks of Love Actually.???

Try our e-learning platform which provides access to resources anytime, anywhere, with mobile compatibility.

5. Involve Your Family

Why not make your studies a team effort?

• Tip: Ask a family member to test you on key concepts.
• Example: “Mum, if I explain the benefits of Activity-Based Costing, you can explain how not to burn the Christmas pudding.”

6. Practise, Don’t Just Read

The holidays are about doing, and so is effective studying.

• Tip: Swap passive reading for active problem-solving. Work on past exam questions or mocks, especially from Practice Tests Academy (yes, we’re here to help!).
• Example: “Calculate this variance,” is oddly satisfying when followed by, “You nailed it!”

7. Be Realistic & Kind to Yourself

Holidays are for balance, not burnout.

• Tip: Accept that you might not study as much as usual, but focus on quality over quantity.
• Joke: Even Santa only works one night a year, and look how productive he is! ??

8. Reward Yourself

Studying through the holidays isn’t easy—acknowledge your hard work.

• Tip: For every study session, treat yourself (hello, chocolate truffle).
• Example: Knock out two chapters, and you’ve earned that mulled wine (or gingerbread latte).

***

Did you know? Accountancy is one of the few professions where gaining an international qualification, like CIMA, can open doors to career opportunities in over 180 countries around the world.

***

?? ?? P.S. For those joining now, don’t miss out on accessing our FREE Question Bank to test your knowledge, available for every CIMA and ACCA paper: https://www.practicetestsacademy.com

? L?????? ?? ? Subscribe | Share | Comment | Let's achieve accountancy greatness together!