Surviving the Spring Term: Do’s and Don’ts

For many students, the Spring Term - not very aptly named - is the toughest stretch of the academic year. Lacking the invigoration of a 'fresh start' which accompanies the Autumn Term, and the anticipation of the summer holidays which will follow Summer Term, there’s not much to motivate you during the winter! Shorter days, colder weather, and the weight of mock exams, coursework deadlines, and impending finals can feel really overwhelming. But unfortunately for GCSE, IB, and A Level students, this period is often crucial for success - not just for maintaining academic progress, but for building momentum toward the final sprint of exams. Here at Tripos, we have lots of experience navigating the Spring Term effectively, and in this article, we’d like to share with you some “do’s” and “don’ts” to keep you on track.

DO: Create a Study Plan (and DO stick to it)

Success during the Spring Term starts with organisation, because even if you can’t find any motivation, you can always rely on organisation. Break your workload into manageable chunks, and map out a realistic study schedule - either on paper, or online. You can share this will friends so they can make sure you stick to it. Don’t forget to factor in all your commitments, including extracurricular activities and time to relax, so that you avoid burning out (more on that later!).

For IB students, your study plan might include planning your Extended Essay or beginning to gather your materials for internal assessments (IAs). For GCSE and A Level students, you might choose to prioritise areas where you feel less confident and allocate extra time for those topics.

Suggestion: Keep your plan flexible enough to make it manageable. Life happens, and the ability to adjust your schedule is as important as having one in the first place. If your schedule doesn’t ‘stick’ at first, don’t be discouraged. Prioritise progress over perfection. 

DON’T: Leave Everything Until the Holidays (... we know it’s tempting) 

When the Christmas lights have been taken down, and it's cold and wet outside, it’s extra tempting to push off serious revision until the Easter/Spring Break, and spend all evening scrolling or napping instead. Sadly, this approach rarely works. The holidays are often a pretty packed time - you'll likely be visiting family and friends, and of course, you ought to rest as well. It’s not wise to expect you’ll be able to pull off a last-minute scramble to catch up. We think it’s best that you spread your workload across the term to keep the holiday stress at a minimum and ensure you can be productive.

DO: Focus on Your Health

The Spring Term can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Make sure you’re eating well, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep. So that means no all-nighters! Regular exercise, even just a brisk walk in the daylight, can do a lot for your mood and ability to focus.

Suggestion: Don’t be too hard on yourself if you find it hard to focus. It’s better to spend 20 minutes doing ‘deep’ work and then take a break, rather than trying to force yourself to work for long stretches of time. Rest is extra important when it comes to staying sharp, so limit caffeine and screen time before bed to improve your sleep quality.

DON'T: Overload Yourself

Although most students burn out during ‘cram times’ (typically May), studies have shown that the seeds of burnout are often planted as early as February. This means that this period is particularly critical when it comes to balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars, and a social life in order to avoid spreading yourself too thin. As difficult as it may seem, you need to learn to say 'no' to additional commitments if they interfere with your ability to focus on your priorities - one of which absolutely should be self care.

Suggestion: Use the winter term to fine-tune time management skills - the stakes are still low enough to experiment! Small improvements now can pay off in a major way as exams draw closer.

DO: Seek Help When You Need It

If you’re reading this article and thinking 'I'm doing all these things', or even just trying your best, and are finding that you’re struggling with a particular subject or aspect of your studies, don’t wait until the issue becomes a crisis. Reach out to your teachers, classmates, or even an external tutor for support.

At Tripos Education, we specialise in helping students like you tackle academic challenges with confidence and a realistic mindset. Whether it’s filling in the gaps, organising your study schedule, or preparing for exams, we’re here to help you feel secure and capable. This is a good time to start! The Spring Term is a great moment to make time to take stock of your progress. Ask yourself the following: are you meeting your academic goals? Are there areas where you need to improve? Use the term’s natural rhythm to reflect on your strengths and address weaknesses.

For IB students, this might mean revisiting your TOK essay draft or tweaking your CAS schedule. A Level students can begin to think about which of their subjects will be most essential for their university applications, and GCSE students might want to consider how their mock exam performance can guide Sixth Form subject choices.

We hope this article has served as a reminder to be proactive about your success this term! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you think we could help!