Finals are over…. Now what? You have a full month away from tests, papers, college drama, 8:30am classes, DUC food, foam mattresses, library carrels, and Cliff bus shuttles! Of course you’ll be spending some quality time with the family and celebrating the holidays, but when things begin to wind down, you might want to seriously consider picking yourself up and making use of your “free time.” Here are four ways to make the most of your winter break:
Get fit!
College students frequently forget the gym during finals, letting their workout routine slide in order to
immerse themselves in studying hypnosis. Take the time during your break to re-kindle your relationship with the gym and then carry on your newfound dedication when you’re back at school in January!
Apply to internships.
As much as I’d love to tell you to take a break from life, that’s probably the worst advice I could possibly give.
It’s so tempting, but resist the desire to watch films, catch up on TV shows, and lounge day in and day out under mounds of blankets. Instead, start looking for internships and jobs for the coming semester, or even better, get a head start on summer. Many application due dates are coming up in January, so check out the resources on the Emory Career Center website and plug away at applications. You’ll thank yourself later.
Volunteer.
Multiple opportunities open up during the holidays for volunteers. From soup kitchens and homeless shelters
to daycare centers and holiday events, organizations savor the holiday season because many students have free time on their hands. Take time to volunteer doing something you love. It’s part of the holiday spirit!
Read.
Remember the days when you read simply for F-U-N? We’re talking Harry Potter, Jodi Picoult, Nancy
Drew, and even Gossip Girl. It may be difficult for some of us to pick up a book after reading required texts all semester long, but I swear it’s a surreal experience. Opening a book you know you’ll be reading for fun is all the more enjoyable. The holidays are the best time to finally pick up the books you’ve been wanting to read. Just curl up under a blanket in a quiet space, open up your novel, and sip on some hot chocolate (to complete the winter-y day ambience).
Have a good break!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Emory chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.