Winter break can be a welcome time for college students to relax and reconnect with their friends and family. But it can also be a great opportunity to prepare for your next semester or school year. If you want to relax a bit but are also feeling ambitious, there are several things you can do to get the most out of your school break.
Here are some tips for maximizing your time off so you can start your next semester feeling refreshed and prepared.
5 Ways to Get Ahead This Winter Break
1. Apply for Scholarships
Many scholarship deadlines are in the spring, so setting aside time over winter break to research and apply for scholarships can help you get ahead. It can also help you avoid feeling stressed about preparing applications once school resumes and you’re managing a heavy course load.
These sites are excellent resources for finding scholarships, though you can also contact your school’s financial aid office or visit your local library to research scholarship opportunities.
2. Get a Seasonal Job
If you want to make some extra cash to put towards next semester’s tuition, books, or supplies, winter break is a great time to pick up some seasonal work. You could apply for a part-time role with a local retailer or a local ski area if you live in a colder climate, or partake in the gig economy as a dog walker, food delivery driver, or another role that aligns with your skillset.
Working part-time can help offset your school costs and keep you busy if you’re wondering how you’ll pass the time over break.
3. Research Summer Internships
School break is also an excellent time to start researching summer internships. While some companies interested in hiring summer interns start recruiting in the fall, others offer spring recruiting sessions. Identifying possible internships you’d like to apply for, polishing up your resume, and practicing your interview skills can help you feel more prepared once spring recruiting starts.
Look at your school’s career website, or visit sites like Indeed or LinkedIn to identify potential internship opportunities.
4. Learn Something New
If you’re interested in learning or trying something new but you haven’t had the time, school break is the ideal opportunity. Maybe you’d like to learn another language or pick up a hobby like knitting, crocheting, or photography. Research local hobbies groups, visit your library, download a language-learning app, or head over to YouTube to find helpful how-to videos to get started. Use your break for both relaxation and enrichment.
5. Map Out Your Class Schedule
You probably already have your spring course schedule in hand, but there’s no harm in planning ahead for next semester and the upcoming school year. Before heading back after winter break, take a good look at your schedule, the timing of your classes, where they are on campus, and when you’ll have free time for things like meals, studying, writing papers, and downtime.
Also, look ahead to next year. While you won’t have exact details of all the available courses, think about current course offerings and what you might be interested in taking in the future. For instance, if your college currently offers an American Government course focused on the U.S. Constitution, chances are it will also be available next year. Think about your interests, required courses for your major, and consider making a spreadsheet to map things out. That way, you can reference the information when it comes time to choose your classes for the fall.
In Between the R&R, Get a Jump Start
Relaxing and recharging your batteries is an essential part of school breaks. But you can also use some of that time off to plan ahead for next semester, summer, and school year. Applying for scholarships during break, for instance, is a wise move because you won’t feel pressured to apply while juggling your coursework once school resumes.
If you’re concerned that scholarships and part-time work won’t be enough to close a tuition funding gap, you can also look toward private student loans. ELFI offers private student loans with reasonable rates, and flexible terms and repayment options. Learn more about private student loans from ELFI today.
