Half Term Ahead: Rest or Revision?
We’re asking the February half term question that has parents across the UK tied in knots: should students be revising or resting?
Maybe you recognise the conversation. You suggest a “bit of revision” and get that look – the one that says you’ve suggested something truly unreasonable. They insist they need a complete break, and you’re imagining June exams creeping closer while nothing gets done.
So here’s my honest answer, from 40+ years of watching what actually works: you’re both right. In a way. Let me explain.
The Mistake Everyone Makes
I see it every year in consultation calls with worried parents. The camps are clear:
Camp 1: “They should be doing six-hour revision days – exams are coming!”
Camp 2: “They’re exhausted – let them have a proper break!”
Both approaches lead to the same place: frustration, guilt, and students returning to school in worse shape than when they left.
The six-hour revision camp creates exhausted students who burn out before exams even arrive. The complete break camp loses momentum just when they need to be building it.
The truth? It sits somewhere in the middle – and it’s more nuanced than you might think.
What the Research Actually Tells Us
Here are the facts that matter:
Intensive study: After about 90 minutes of focused work, you’re not studying anymore. You’re simply staring at pages whilst your brain slowly checks out.
Complete breaks: More than three consecutive days without any academic engagement means losing ground you’ve worked hard to gain. Skills get rusty and confidence wobbles.
The sweet spot: Aim for two to three hours of genuinely focused work, followed by proper rest.
What 'Proper Revision' Actually Looks Like
Let’s be honest about something: sitting with books open whilst scrolling through your phone isn’t revision. Neither is copying notes out in different colours for four hours, creating beautiful study materials you’ll never actually study from.
Real revision – the kind that sticks – looks different:
Effective Techniques:
- Active recall: Testing yourself rather than re-reading
- Spaced repetition: Little and often beats marathon sessions
- Past papers: Under timed conditions, not open-book browsing
- Explaining concepts: If they can teach it to you, they know it
- Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes focused work, 5-minute break
What Doesn’t Work:
- Six-hour “study marathons” with diminishing focus
- Passive re-reading of notes
- Highlighting everything in different colours
- Making perfect study schedules but not following them
Working “all day” but actually being distracted for most of it
Quality beats quantity every single time.
The Parent’s Dilemma (And What Actually Helps)
It’s hard to navigate parenting during exam season. You want to support your child, but every conversation about revision feels like walking through a minefield.
You might be thinking:
- “Every time I see them relaxing, I panic about exams”
- “If I push, they dig in harder”
- “I know they need rest, but are they doing ENOUGH?”
- “How do I support them without nagging?”
Strategies That Actually Work:
- Agree the plan TOGETHER before half term starts: Aim for collaboration here.
- Make revision time reasonable and non-negotiable: Morning slots work best – brains are fresh and afternoons are guilt-free.
- Don’t hover or check every five minutes: Trust the process and remember that micromanaging destroys motivation.
- Celebrate work done, don’t criticise work not done: “Great focus this morning” beats “You should have done more.”
- Model good work-life balance yourself: If you’re working through your breaks, what message does that send?
The Sunday Night Test
Here’s how you know if you’ve got the balance right:
On Sunday night before returning to school, ask your child how they feel.
Good balance: They feel refreshed but ready. They’ve had a proper rest, made some progress and feel capable.
Too much work: They’re exhausted and resentful. They hated half term and are dreading going back to school.
Too little work: They’re panicking because they’ve done nothing. Anxiety is kicking in and their confidence is shaken.
The perfect half term ends with students feeling like they’ve had a break AND made progress. It’s not easy to achieve, but it’s absolutely possible.
The Truth About Sustainable Success
After four decades of watching students navigate exam years, here’s what I know for certain:
The students who do best aren’t necessarily the ones who work hardest.
They’re the ones who work sustainably. They understand that June exams are a marathon, not a sprint, and they know that rest is part of the preparation process too.
The ones who burn the candle at both ends in February often burn out by May. The ones who pace themselves, who build in proper rest, who maintain some life outside revision? They’re still going strong when it actually matters.
A Final Thought: Progress, Not Perfection
This February half term, aim for progress, not perfection.
Some revision will get done. Some rest will happen. Some days will be better than others. That’s not failure – that’s balance.
Need Support Finding That Balance?
If you’re struggling to help your child find the revision-rest balance, or if they need structure and support to make half term productive without being painful, we’re here. You can read more about how a little learning goes a long way in the holidays here.
Our tutors understand how to make focused work feel manageable rather than miserable. We know how to build confidence alongside competence.
Book a free 20-minute call:
Warmly,
Claire Meadows-Smith
Founder and Principal
The Community Schools
