Danish Students Sacrifice Christmas for Brutal Exams

Raphael Nnadi

December 28, 2025
2:13 pm

Every January, thousands of Danish university students face an intense exam period right after the holidays, leaving little time for Christmas rest or family gatherings.

A Quiet Christmas Spent Studying

Anna Hjorth Hansen, a business economics student at Aarhus University, is one of many who spend Christmas at home with family but mostly behind a pile of textbooks. While her parents and siblings relax in Kolding, she spends long hours preparing for four exams scheduled between January 5 and 20.

She tries to balance both worlds, but there is barely enough time. Like last year, she informs her family in advance that she will need to study most days from morning until evening. Even Christmas Eve ends early so she can focus again after a short break. To her, it feels unnecessary. She believes the semester could start and end earlier, much like Denmark’s primary and secondary schools that begin in August. That adjustment, she feels, would allow university students to enjoy a proper Christmas break.

The Pressure on Students

This overlap between the holidays and exams creates noticeable stress across many Danish campuses. According to Aarhus University’s Student Council, those who face exams on January 2 or 3 experience the greatest strain. After all, Christmas is supposed to be a time of rest and togetherness. For students, though, it becomes a period of guilt and exhaustion when their focus shifts from family gatherings to exam preparations.

The growing awareness of student well-being in Denmark has sparked discussions about whether the academic system should adapt. Universities, high schools, and even public policy debates have started reexamining how study schedules affect mental health and balance. The national focus on school well-being measures reflects a wider societal concern that young people are increasingly under pressure.

Every holiday season, psychologists from the Student Counseling Service meet students overwhelmed by expectations—from family traditions and personal ambitions to academic deadlines. The overlap of stressors means many struggle to rest even for a few days, and the problem seems to deepen year by year.

University Response and Scheduling Challenges

Aarhus University acknowledges the complaints and agrees it is not ideal to hold exams so close to New Year. However, administrative leaders argue that removing the early January exam dates would create too little time for preparation between the other tests.

Because Denmark’s universities operate within an international calendar, where new semesters typically begin in September, moving the academic year earlier presents new complications. International students and faculty make up a significant part of the academic environment, and the university worries about losing alignment with global standards. Prospective Danish students also cannot be admitted until late July, when they receive their acceptance letters after high school. Starting in early August, therefore, would give them only a few days to find housing and settle in.

Given these factors, Aarhus University maintains that the current schedule, while flawed, remains the most practical solution. Nevertheless, the institution continues to review the structure of its academic calendar to see if minor improvements could ease stress without disrupting the system.

Looking Ahead: A Better Balance for Future Students

Despite understanding the reasoning behind the current setup, students like Anna still believe reform is possible. She accepts the pressure will not disappear overnight but hopes their experiences can help shape better conditions for the next generation.

Even a small shift could make a big difference for Denmark’s student community. The conversation now touches not only Aarhus University but also other universities in the country, including those listed among the best universities in Denmark for foreigners. If the discussion continues, Danish institutions might eventually find a rhythm that respects both academic ambitions and the very Danish tradition of enjoying Christmas without guilt or deadlines looming.