As the college girls head into break, we get some well-deserved time at home to enjoy home-cooked meals, catching up with friends and family, and celebrating the holidays. After a semester of deadlines, exams, internships and applications–you deserve this!
The connotation of new years and having a rebrand is something some look forward to, while others don’t. With Pinterest full of vision boards, rebrand ideas, and lists of what you should be completing, it can be a load on your mind. Regardless, how you spend your winter break does matter, not because you should be doing anything specific, but because this time sets up how you approach the new year and your 2026 goals.
We will go into the new year with a clean slate, leaving the heartbreaks, friendship breakups, new eras, classes, experiences, and everything else behind us.
productivity over break
The way you choose to spend your break is essential to achieving your goals realistically in 2026, and it all depends on what kind of person you are.
If you know you are a type A person who uses planners, calendars, and Notion and likes to have their life planned to the last detail, break may look like setting realistic goals, planning out your calendars/planners, and organizing your digital life.
If you know you are a type B person who isn’t as strict on schedules and can go with the flow, break may be more of the time for you to get more in touch with your hobbies, spend time with your loved ones, and fill your cup in ways you may have missed out on this last semester.
a list!
Regardless of the kind of person you are or plan to be, give yourself a few things to check off in order to go into the new year and semester feeling fresh. Rather, some questions to ask yourself in order to plan your rebrand accordingly.
What are my non negotiables for 2026? Think about the areas you want to be better in next semester: wellness, fitness, spirituality, social life, budgeting, etc. How will you achieve success in these areas? Give yourself weekly or monthly non negotiables that will guarantee you success and productivity.
How will I guarantee to fill my cup? Ask yourself if your focus on academics or social fulfillment this last semester took away from your own creativity and “me time.” If so, give yourself a plan to ensure you also stay feeling fulfilled in the future. Whether that’s reading, journaling, or cooking, give yourself time for you!
What applications should I fill out before this semester begins? It may seem far away, but soon, application deadlines for studying abroad, internships, co-ops, and other experiences will be coming up. As you have some free time over break, think about the possibilities for the summer, and even take time to fill out scholarship applications and the FAFSA.
Should I update my resumé or portfolio? Along with many application deadlines coming up, winter break is the perfect time to refresh your resumé or work on a portfolio! As busy college students, the work we do each semester can be showcased beautifully in portfolios or resumés. It is important to always have a current and updated file that holds your work and experiences. Use break to either update these, or ask for some feedback from someone you trust.
Are there any big goals I have in mind for 2026? Moving past the academics and college-tailored list, what big goals do you have for yourself? Ask yourself, realistically, if there are one or two big things you hope to achieve this year in order to really hone in and put your focus on it next semester. Do you want to travel, volunteer, work on a new project, or save “X” amount of money? Giving yourself 1-2 big goals that allow you to plan everything else around it and ensure it will be accomplished.
Check in
Asking yourself the realistic question of how you will stay on track is important. There are many methods to the new year rebrand and goals, and here are a few:
Quarterly Method: The quarterly method prioritizes realism. Giving yourself your goals at a quarterly rate allows for check-ins throughout the year. This may be better for someone who wants less maintenance and check-ins, but still wants to have a firm plan.
Monthly/Weekly Method: This method is more for those who like to stay on top of themselves to avoid mistakes. Checking in weekly and monthly with your goals can be very helpful, especially in the middle of the quick-paced life of a college student.
Vision Board: Something that is extremely low maintenance, but can be helpful, is a vision board. Personally, I love vision boards, if done correctly. I create mine with sections: finance, wellness, spirituality, travel, and much more. Each section has images beneath it of exactly what I want my life to look like in the coming year. Vision boards can go well with any method as a fun project and something to look at to push you toward your goals.
Reflection: Reflection can be for those who either did or did not achieve their goals in this last year. Being able to sit and say what worked or didn’t work, will guarantee success in the new year.
Habit Stacking: Habit stacking is focused on short term goals, not long term outcomes. It can be beneficial for those who have busy schedules. If you want to incorporate more wellness in your routine, make it a habit to stretch at night for five minutes while you talk to your roommate. If you want to listen to more news or podcasts, listen on your walks to class. Small but consistent habits lead to big changes over time.
Theme-Based: This is perfect for those who don’t want rigid goals and guidelines, but gives something to stick to. Base your months or seasons on a theme–like discipline, wellness, health, growth–or even base your daily activities on your theme.
2026!
The year is coming to a close, and the new semester, and 2026, is coming soon!
You don’t need a dramatic rebrand to move forward, but those small and intentional choices made over winter break are important. They can shape the year ahead more than any overnight transformation.
Choose rest when you need it, structure when it helps, and trust yourself enough to know the difference.