Five Ways Your Student Can Make the Most of Winter Break

Despite the challenges that this pandemic brings, high school students need to do what they can to make the most of this upcoming winter break! Being productive doesn’t mean wearing themselves down, however. Below are my top five tips for making the most of a high school winter break.

Take a Break

First and foremost, your teen needs a break. Between the stresses of navigating their social and academic life in a pandemic, doing online school, and preparing for college, this is a tough time to be a teenager. While there are many things they can and should do to be productive, relaxation is a must simply for their health.

Be Healthy

It’s the holidays, so eat all the cookies… but fueling their body and giving it what it needs (fruits, veggies, and activity) will help them start 2021 on the right foot! These healthy habits will help with mental clarity and overall mood. It’s a win for everyone.

Get Creative with Extracurriculars

Obviously, your student’s activities look a little different these days. What can they do to get creative to stay involved and stay busy? How can they demonstrate their passions on a college application? Let’s say your student wants to go into neuroscience. What have they done - or what can they do - to show, not tell, a college that they want to study neuroscience? Encourage your student to think outside the box. This pandemic has proven to be a time for resilience and perseverance!

Research Colleges

Yes, even seniors can do this! If your student has not finalized their college list and applied (juniors and below), this is a great time to get to know different kinds of colleges. Every college is different, and your student belongs somewhere. For students who really have no idea what options are out there, this is particularly relevant!

If your student is a senior and they’ve already finalized your list and/or applied, have they prioritized their list in preparation for decisions? Which college would be their first choice if they got accepted to every college? This is especially important if your family has not weighed out the financial aspects of each college! What amount of merit aid does your student need to be able to afford each school?

Set Goals

Whether your teen is a freshman or a senior, goal setting is a fantastic way to start off the new year. It involves reflection of the last year and opportunities for change, improvement, and positivity. Goals should be specific, measurable, time-sensitive, and personal. If your student sets a goal of being a better person in 2021 - how will they reach that goal? Will they volunteer more, donate more, be more involved in what’s going on in the world? Maybe they set a goal of finishing their college list by June 1. How will they achieve that? Who will help and support them with this goal? Goal setting for the new year truly is a reflective exercise that wipes the imaginary slate clean.

BONUS:

Freshmen: Start a brag sheet! A brag sheet is like an “internal only” resume to keep track of accomplishments and activities. By starting as early as their freshman year, a brag sheet will make applying to college just that much easier. Your student can share it with those who they’ve asked to write a letter of recommendation and can refer back to it when filling out the activities section of the Common App. This is a way for your teen to keep track of things internally and should not be shared with colleges in this format. You can download a free copy here: Brag Sheet

Sophomores: If your sophomore hasn’t yet planned out their high school courses, this is a great opportunity to do so. Have them dive into their high school’s curriculum to see what classes are offered and when. They can schedule out their next two and a half years of high school and tailor it through the lens of a future college student. How can your sophomore set themselves up for success academically?

Juniors: Research, research, research! Get that college list started with the college search. This can be as simple as making a list of criteria and searching colleges that meet that criteria. Basic criteria includes location, size, and academic profile. Rooted College Planning offers a College List mini package and also offers more information on how to start the college search and the college list.

Seniors: If your student hasn’t gotten their applications in yet, GET THOSE IN! My students have a goal of mid-December for all applications, and for good reason. This soft deadline gives them the best opportunities for merit aid, dorm selection, and so much more. Plus, peace of mind around the holidays doesn’t hurt. If your senior has pressed submit on their applications, make sure they take some time to check out some private scholarships. Local scholarships are your best bet for additional money.