When the fall semester is officially complete and winter break is here, you tell yourself that you are going to catch up on all the sleep you missed out on during the strenuous semester, but in reality, you find yourself at home particularly bored. Keep reading to find out how you can be a productive college student during winter break.
1. Make Money
Check in with your past employers and see if they need any extra help until you return to school. If you left a good impression on them then it won’t be a difficult process to get back on the payroll. If this is not an option for you, check with local retailers as they’re more willing to fill seasonal positions during the holidays. Take advantage of the opportunity to try out a new industry or company temporarily while also earning an extra income during winter break.
2. Exercise
During all of the late-night cram sessions and continuous snacking, you probably manage to pack on some unwanted pounds over the semester. Or maybe one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get in better shape; winter break is the perfect period to jumpstart your resolution. You no longer have the excuse you had throughout the semester of having to study, class, or meetings. Visit your local gym and see if they have any daily passes or discounts for college students, so you won’t have to hurt your pockets in the process of a few weeks.
3. Volunteer
The holiday season is all about giving back. As a college student, giving back during your winter break can be an extremely satisfying and humbling experience. You can make a difference by volunteering at a local nursing home, food bank, or even organize a toy drive for underprivileged children. Perhaps you have outgrown some of your clothes over the semester, take this time to clear out your closet and donate your clothes to a local homeless shelter.
4. Alternative Winter Break Trip
Another unique way to volunteer during the holiday season is to volunteer. Meet with your school’s Office of Civic Engagement and find out if they offer any Alternative Winter Break trips. Some schools offer this volunteer opportunity for students to sightsee and relax, yet help out a worthy cause. This is also a perfect way to meet new people on campus, develop as a student, and overall reflect during the break.
5. Prepare for Spring Semester
Whether it be reading your book for next semester or learning software that you will need for a future class, getting head will allow you to comprehend early what your next semester will be like. Take the winter break to look ahead at your syllabi for the next term, review your course descriptions, and email your professors if you have any questions. This will assure that you know exactly what to expect before the first day arrives.
Regardless of how you decide to spend your winter break, you need to find a life balance between the need to relax and recharge for the next semester. The secret to being productive is planning, so be sure to figure out how much you want to undertake and then commit to whatever it is you deem necessary to have a beneficial break.
Brianna Cheeks is a senior journalism major with a concentration in public relations and a minor in Spanish at Georgia State University. She is a current public relations intern for the Atlanta Dream. After graduation she plans to pursue her master’s degree in Sports Management with hopes of working in public relations for a professional sports team.