Congratulations to all the college kids who finished their finals, and to the ones who are almost there! It's always a good feeling to know that you won’t have to study in the library for a total of six hours straight, eat cereal three nights in a row for dinner, or have bags that make you look like a raccoon, anymore. It’s finally winter break and even though it’s hard to do anything besides sleep in until noon and watch Christmas movies all day, it’s important to be somewhat productive. Especially if you’re an upperclassmen.
Using this break to reflect, organize, and plan are some of the few crucial things to do. Don’t get me wrong. It’s important to relax and hide in your room with a good novel, but use this time to also get ahead! You’ll thank yourself later by following these key pointers.
1. Get a part time seasonal job to earn some extra cash money for savings and holiday gifts!
2. Volunteer at a local charity or organization.
This time of year is prime for giving and donations.
3. Find a good self-help book and make it a goal to finish it by the end of the break.
I’m currently reading “May Cause Miracles” by Gabrielle Bernstein.
4. Spend good quality time with your family.
This month will go by quickly and you won’t be able to watch football with your dad every week, or eat your mom’s amazing food every night.
5. Work on a goal that you told yourself you want to accomplish.
Like learning how to knit or play the ukulele.
6. Catch up with your old friends, you’ll never regret pausing that Netflix episode to talk over coffee with a friend from high school.
7. This one’s important -- apply for scholarships!
A lot of scholarships end shortly after winter break so make sure to put time aside to get a few done.
8. Plan a summer vacation!
Visualize the beach that you could be on this summer and start your planning process. Doing this will give you plenty of time to budget and save beforehand!
9. Plan fun winter dates for you and your man, or a group of friends.
See lights or go sledding, be a kid again! It’ll keep you from going stir crazy from being cooped up in the house all day.
10. Keep up a workout routine! No matter if it’s a home workout DVD or going to your local gym -- be active!
Remember how we talked about that summer vacation? Yeah, it’ll be here before you know it, so keep yourself healthy and in shape!
11. Make yourself the ultimate bucket list for 2016.
Add a lot of details and be specific about your goals for this next year. Then work at them and see results blossom before your eyes!
Whatever you do during this holiday break, make it worthwhile. Be proud of how you spend your time and do what makes you happy. After all, you deserve this time to relax and fully appreciate all the hard work you’ve accomplished. So, cheers to that!
