Holiday Math Tips to Keep Skills Fresh

The holiday break is one of the most valuable stretches of the school year. It gives students the downtime they desperately need, while also offering a chance to stay lightly connected to the skills they’ll need in January. After years of teaching and tutoring, I’ve seen how a balanced approach over the break can make the new semester feel far more manageable. Here are a few simple, effective tips to help students start strong when they return.

Tip #1: Take a Meaningful Academic Break

Students push hard from August to December; the workload, tests, projects, and pressure stack up quickly, especially those in AP and IB programs. Research shows that genuine rest improves learning because the brain uses downtime to consolidate memories and strengthen neural pathways. A true break also reduces stress hormones that interfere with comprehension and retention. So, the first and most important step is to slow down. Students should enjoy family time, sleep in, unwind, and reset mentally. When they rest well, they return sharper, calmer, and more ready to learn. Hopefully their teachers are not loading them down with work over the break!

Tip #2: Plan Short, Consistent Review Sessions

To keep math skills from fading, aim for five short sessions spread across the holiday break—about one every two or three days. These shouldn’t feel like full study sessions; fifteen to twenty minutes is plenty. Students can, for example:

• Work through DeltaMath assignments already queued by their teacher

• Watch short, high-quality math videos on upcoming topics

• Review notes from the fall to keep ideas familiar. Light, spaced practice prevents the “January slump” where everything feels rusty.

  
  

Tip #3: Use Tutor Support to Get Ahead

If your student works with a tutor, or if you're thinking of using a tutor for the spring semester, the break is a perfect time to strengthen weak areas and preview upcoming material with your tutor. Instead of (or alongside) a session or two, consider asking the tutor to create a short DeltaMath plan for the break. A tutor can select four or five targeted exercises, about 15 to 30 minutes each, that refresh concepts the student struggled with while lightly previewing what’s coming up next semester. This keeps skills warm and gives students a quiet confidence boost heading into January.

Tip #4: Prepare for a Smooth January Start

During the last day or two of break, students can set themselves up for success by making a simple “re-entry plan.” They can look over the syllabus, identify upcoming units or assessments, and set one achievable math goal for the new semester. A few minutes of planning makes the first week back feel organized instead of overwhelming.

Final Thoughts

Students don’t need heavy workloads over the holidays to stay sharp. They simply need rest, light and consistent engagement, and a bit of intentional planning. This balanced approach protects their well-being while keeping their math skills fresh, setting them up for a strong and confident start to the spring semester.

If your student needs guidance or wants a structured plan for the break, I’m always here to help.

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Mr. Rich is a University of Florida graduate in engineering and former high school math teacher and engineer who now coaches students full-time in all levels of high school math, including Algebra 2, AP Precalculus, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics. He specializes in ACT and SAT math prep, helping students build both skill and confidence for classroom success and college admissions. He is owner and founder of T3R Tutoring, LLC, and can be reached at tom@t3rtutoring.org.