Days off

However, improving one's own managing of breaks should not only refer to breaks within the learning and working day, but should take into account the whole work phase as well.
At least one day a week should be completely free of work. This free day is for rest and intensive relaxation. This day off should run through the entire working and learning time and should therefore also take place directly before submission or examination deadlines.
If, for example, you are studying for an exam during the lecture-free period, then you are particularly challenged to structure your days and your entire week yourself. However, when every day feels like a Sunday anyway, many students quickly end up working every day in order to meet their numerous study requirements. Your week will then consist of working days only.
But a day off is important!

GerryGelassen has learned to appreciate his day off by now:

“I take at least one day off every week.
For me, it is helpful to plan my day off in advance, because in the beginning, I often ended up not knowing what to do with myself on my day off. In the current situation, I can't just meet up with friends or go for a stroll with my girlfriend. Sometimes I finally started studying even on my day off.
In the meantime, I have planned my day off in advance; I arrange to meet up with friends or do a lot of sports. But even if I just want to “hang out” and sleep, I plan to do so in advance and then it’s okay.”

In addition, at least one day off should be scheduled after exams or directly after submissions.
Even if the next exam date may be coming very soon, a short break is definitely advisable to recharge your batteries.

At the end of a long and intensive examination or work phase, a longer recreational phase should then be planned. This can be used for a trip but does not have to be. It is important not to work “cognitively” for a longer period of time (ideally several weeks) and to allow oneself ample rest – and this works just as well at home as on a long-distance trip.