For most people, winter break means finally have the chance to do, well, nothing at all. It is any college student’s dream to sleep the days away without having to think about homework, papers, or class. Students can relax, however, without ceasing to be productive. My suggestion for this winter break: use the time to do things that you might not have had the means to do during the course of the semester! Below are some of my suggestions for ways that students can fully maximize their break this year.
Update your resume: Regardless of your class year, you can use the ample time that winter break offers to edit and revise your resume. Add the activities you participated in, and the jobs you held, at school this past semester to your resume. If you are looking to cater your resume to a particular internship or job opportunity, you might want to consider reorganizing and reformatting your resume. Almost all colleges have ample resources that can guide you through this process.
Reach out to grandparents and/or other relatives: Many students are too swamped during the school year to contact relatives via snail mail, telephone, etc. Your relatives always adore hearing from you though, so why not take five minutes out of your break to send them a letter or give them a call? Debrief them on the classes you took this past semester, the clubs you are involved with on campus and what you are looking forward to next semester. Don’t forget to ask them how they are doing as well!
Start a new fitness routine: Just because school is on a break doesn’t mean that your fitness is on one too. Slacking off on exercise will make you feel super sluggish, and could negatively impact your attitude and eating habits. Keep things interesting and instead of cutting out the exercise routine you had at school, create an entirely new one! Switch up your cardio (if you always run on the treadmill, try biking instead) or try a new fitness class at your local gym! Also, research new abs and lifting exercises and test them out!
Help out around the house: Assuming you are home for the break, take some time out of every day to help with household chores. Your parents will be extremely grateful! Offer to wash the dishes after a meal, take out the trash, or (here’s the biggie): clean up your room. If you normally do these chores while you’re home from school, go the extra mile and do something special for your parents. Cook dinner for them, offer to watch your siblings while they enjoy a “date night,” or rent their favorite movie and watch it with them!
Volunteer: Volunteering is a great way to spend your winter break. Not only does volunteering keep you busy, but it is also a great way to meet people and develop (or maintain) a passion for a particular cause. Go online and research opportunities to volunteer in your area. Many organizations, like KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) – a non-profit that provides one-on-one recreational activities for children and young adults – with developmental and physical disabilities – offer volunteer opportunities year-round, and therefore accommodate college students’ schedules very well. (http://www.keenusa.org/)