Most college students are counting down the days until finals are a thing of the past, and winter break is our oyster. As much as we love that five and a half week break requiring zero mental stimulation, the magic of free time often becomes dull faster than anticipated. Here are some ideas of ways to spend your winter break productively, adding some consistency to your schedule!
Fitness Goals
With the busy schedule of a college student, carving out the time (and more importantly, the energy) to get to the gym is inevitably difficult. As much as winter break should be a time to relax, it can also be the perfect time to hit the gym! With over five weeks of free time, it is finally possible to set concrete goals and track progress. To help along the way, consider getting a personal trainer, finding a fun exercise class, or even replicating workouts you found online! The key is consistency.
Find temporary work…or make it for yourself!
Given that the holidays are such a busy time, there are numerous ways to earn some extra cash over break, all while building that resume. For example, retail stores often hire seasonal positions, especially for returning college students who have worked there in the past. Family and friends in need of a temporary assistant/intern or nanny are also great resources. Plus, there may even be some neighbors in need of help with shoveling or holiday lights!
Volunteer
Finding time to volunteer is typically the last priority for college students. However, regularly volunteering is a great way to form a consistent (but also flexible) schedule. Oftentimes, there are a lot more organizations locally than people realize, so all it takes is a bit of research to find one of interest nearby. Over five weeks of break can be enough time to truly make a difference at a local organization in need of help!
Commit to one adventure each week
If the idea of consistency does not spark your fancy, making a commitment to not be consistent can be just as productive! One structural option is to make a commitment to go on one adventure every week, such as taking a road trip, or learning how to snowboard!
Take a class
Whether it is a condensed class for college credit, or a cooking class for fun, winter break provides the time to learn something new! Furthermore, there are websites such as Lynda.com, a site with 4,138 videos teaching skills from speed-reading, to Photoshop, to languages. Lastly, the most informal “class” you can take is reading a book! There is always something to learn from literature, even if it is a romantic novel or a celebrity’s memoir.
Winter cleaning
Who said cleaning has to be reserved for the spring? Make a commitment to clean out a different room of your home each week! It will surely make cleaning in the spring much easier.