12 Days of Christmas for Business Students: Simple Tasks to Do Each Day

After such an unusual year, it’s time for all of us to take some time over the festive period to take a step back, recharge, and prepare for a brand-new year.

Here at TopMBA we’ve compiled the 12 Days of Christmas for MBA students, suggesting a simple task for each day to help get you prepared for 2021. We hope you enjoy it.

Day one: Restart

It’s been a tough year for everyone, and we know you’ve worked incredibly hard.

All you have to do today is start with a clean sheet of paper and try to put the events of 2020 in the new year. Focus on what you want to achieve with your studies this year. And don’t be afraid to take a new bold, fresh approach to your career.

Day two: Reframe

What are you aiming for? What does success look like for you in 12 months? What are you going to do differently this year to ensure you achieve your goals?

Take some time today to reframe your future and write some brief goals for the upcoming year.

Day three: Rebalance

Your MBA studies are meant to be an exercise in freedom and fulfilment, not a feeling of déjà vu.

Ensure you dedicate some time to rebalance your daily, weekly, and monthly activities. What is your North Star for the next twelve months? Identify this and then ensure you’re spending your time in the most effective way.

Day four: Read (something other than a textbook)

To quote Dr. Seuss: “The more that you read, the more things you will know! The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!”

Similar to a business school classroom, reading gives you access to ideas from all over the world in the palm of your hand.

So, over the festive break, why not dive into a new book? It doesn’t even need to be related to your MBA!

Reading over the holidays will keep your creative (and business) juices flowing, making it easier to snap back into it come January.

Day five: Revisit

How will you beat your competitors in business? How will you beat the competition to get your dream job?

Revisit your strategy for the next 12 months to fine-tune it and ensure you come out on top in whatever your goals are for you and your career.

Day six: Spend time with family

Whether you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen, going on a Christmas day walk, or singing Christmas carols out of tune, make the most of spending quality time with your loved ones – the opportunities are few and far between during your studies.

You only have one family, so may your Christmas sparkle with moments of love, laughter, and happiness.

Day seven: Specialize

The MBA, though revered for its relevance in business, is a generalist degree by nature in many ways.

Depending on the career path you’d like to take, you may want to use the Christmas break to get some specialist knowledge in the area you’d like to work in – and this will definitely help you stand out to employers.

Day eight: Get job ready

If you already know where you’d like to work, or at least which industry you’d like to work in, see when (and where) the next networking events are.

The festive season offers an opportunity to look ahead, perfect your resume, and think about the next steps you’d like to take.

Day nine: Relive

Are you living the dream right now? Or at least, will you be soon?

Never forget your dream and why you took this big step. Write down what you want to achieve in the next three to five years. Decide what you must do to turn your vision into reality.

Day 10: Network

In normal times, Christmas parties offer the most vibrant opportunities to eat, drink, be merry – but for MBA students, it offers the chance to start building your network.

This year, virtual events will still be going ahead. Find out who the relevant alumni are at these events and see if they’re available for a one-on-one.

Day 11: Eat and drink (a lot!)

Christmas is the time of year where we all love to indulge in guilt-free feasting.

During your MBA, you’re immersed in an international cocktail of diversity and culture thanks to your international cohort.

Whether you’ll be feasting on festive turkey with pigs in blankets and roast potatoes in the UK this year, or enjoying tetilla cheese puffs with sesame seeds and honey in Spain – you’ll probably never be far from an enormous helping of food this Christmas.

As the Christmas holiday draws to a close, treat yourself to one last plateful of festive goodness.

Day Twelve: Relax and recharge

Although the Christmas holiday can be the perfect time to get a jump on the year ahead, it’s also really important to take a step back and breathe.

The holidays are the perfect time to detach from professional or academic pressures. You can clear your mind and reflect on the successes of the past year.

During the year, you don’t have time to recharge and take breaks – so take this opportunity to relax and have fun with family and loved ones before your studies restart.

Enjoy your time off – you’ve earned it.