Written by Jazmin
16 Dec 2025
December, at least for students, is one of the busiest months of the year. Most of us are wrapping up a course, which usually means exams, final essays, and sometimes even thesis proposals to submit (like in my case). On top of that, December comes with Christmas plans. Some of us want to travel, others have multiple gatherings, and many are navigating the holidays far from home.
All of this together can feel overwhelming very quickly. That’s why I want to share four realistic tips to help you not let stress win and actually survive December as a student abroad.
Tip 1: Don’t Isolate Yourself
When I have too many things to do or too many thoughts in my head, my first instinct is to isolate myself and focus only on being productive: studying more, working more, pushing through.
The problem is that this kind of isolation often does the opposite of what we want. Instead of making us more efficient, it increases stress and can even lead to feeling low or disconnected.
My first tip is simple but important: don’t isolate yourself.
Accept that coffee invitation. Say yes to meeting a friend. Allow yourself to enjoy some free time and do things you like, even hobbies that have nothing to do with university. Productivity without rest is not sustainable.
Tip 2: Choose Cozy Activities With Friends
Even when you feel overwhelmed, spending time with people you trust can make a huge difference. It’s easy to think that meeting friends will “waste time” you could use for studying, but in reality, it often helps you recharge.
Relaxed conversations, laughing, and even venting about what’s stressing you can bring mental clarity. Many times, talking things through helps you find solutions you couldn’t see on your own. Sometimes, you even get ideas for essays, your thesis, or ways to prepare for exams.
This December, I attended three Secret Santa gatherings and two Latin American meetups. Even though I was very stressed with university work, these moments gave me more energy and motivation to keep going.
Tip 3: Break Your Thesis & Deadlines Into Non-Scary Tasks
As much as we’d like to avoid them, deadlines and thesis work won’t disappear. So instead of letting them feel overwhelming, the best approach is to break big tasks into very small, manageable ones.
For example:
“I’ll spend 60 minutes working on my thesis proposal, and then I’ll cook something I really enjoy.”
“I’ll study for two hours today, and after that I’ll do a hobby or rest without guilt.”
Focusing on small daily goals makes everything feel more achievable. Progress doesn’t have to be huge, consistency matters more, especially in December.
Tip 4: Protect Your Mental Health (Not Just Your Grades)
Studying abroad is demanding, and December can intensify everything: pressure, loneliness, homesickness, and exhaustion. That’s why protecting your mental health is not optional, it’s essential.
Take moments during the day to check in with yourself. Ask: How am I really feeling?
Simple things can help more than we think:
Breathing exercises when anxiety spikes
Gentle movement like yoga, stretching, or walking
Getting enough sleep instead of pushing through exhaustion
Limiting social media when comparisons start to hurt
It’s also important to remember that needing support doesn’t mean you’re failing. Talking to friends, classmates, or using university support services is part of taking responsibility for yourself.
Your grades matter, yes, but your well-being matters more. A healthy mind will always help you perform better in the long run.
Surviving December as an international student is already an achievement. You don’t need to finish the year perfectly, you just need to get through it with kindness toward yourself.
If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or tired, you’re not alone. Be gentle with yourself.💛
