The semester has finally come to an end and the beginning of winter break is bringing more holiday cheer to students. But, because of the coronavirus, most families are moving their vacation plans to the future when doing so is safe. In order to spend the winter break safely at the comfort of their homes, students need to make a plan of what to do during these next few weeks.
Preparing for the new year is something very important for students to take part in. It may seem unreasonable to worry about the future, but new years always sneak up faster than expected. Students can write a list of goals or New Year’s resolutions, plan out their study plans for the upcoming year, or think about how or what they can improve on. This can help to prepare for the start of a new year and also the new semester. Even though it’s winter break, it is very helpful for students to prepare for the soon-to-come semester.
Not only should students prepare for their academic future, but they also should spend time for themselves. It has truly been a hectic and chaotic year, so everyone needs some rest and a time to recharge. Time at home can seem boring, however, there are numerous activities and hobbies one can take part of. A few examples are exercising at home, learning a new language or instrument, doing arts and crafts, or reading. Especially exercising can help form better daily habits, as staying at home tends to make students very lethargic and unproductive. Moreover, it is crucial to find a hobby one wants to partake in. Setting goals such as “baking a cake for Christmas” or “learning 50 words in Spanish” can be very fun and exciting to work toward and achieve. Overall, it is important to not get used to inefficient daily habits that can make going back to school even more difficult.
Lastly, if students want to help their community during these difficult times, there are a plethora of online volunteer opportunities. Students have more free time during the break; therefore, they can make use of this time to get volunteer hours or simply make a contribution to their community. When going online and searching for ways to volunteer, there are many options, such as translating video subtitles or letters, transcribing old text for museums, or being a listener for people that are going through difficult times, especially during the coronavirus. Being a part of these opportunities can help others and yourself to become a better person, even over the break.
Personally, I have been exercising and going on walks a few times a week in the mornings. It helps me prepare for the rest of the day and even gain a few muscles, so I definitely recommend doing the same. I hope students spend a productive and enjoyable break, while partaking in a few activities mentioned in this article. It may seem more fun to be on your phone or play games all day, but making better use of your time will definitely change who you are as a person, for the better.
