How to Make the Most of Your Winter Break

Late nights sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace, winter break is simply the best time of the year. There is so much cheerfulness for the holidays and the relaxation of a break from all stress. There are a few ways to go about spending your winter break: do nothing or make the most of it.

Both options have their up and downs, but with some colleges having more than a month off—when does sleeping late and not being at college become too boring? Maybe being idle is what some people prefer to do after a stressful semester, but there are other ways to make winter break the most successful part of the end and beginning of the year.

In the Midwest, people usually spend their winters trying to dig themselves out of their house to be active or trying to dig themselves into blankets to stay warm on their couch. Either way, at home or away from home, you begin to realize that it is good to get up from the couch and do something with your life.

Here are some helpful tips to make your winter break the best winter break:

Winternships

Play on words or a real thing? Believe it or not, many companies offer internships during the winter since many colleges have long extended breaks. Winternships are a great opportunity to get the internship ball rolling. Winternship applications usually range from the beginning of September to end of November. In addition, use the free time to start applying for summer internships or even spring internships. There are many winter and spring internships that are virtual. Get paid while doing work in your favorite holiday pajamas? Not a bad deal.

Seasonal jobs

After the retailers dreaded, but customer loving, Black Friday; retail employers are always looking for recruits for the holiday season. What better employee than a college worker in need of a job? Working over winter break can make you enough money to go on a spring break, so why would you not take the time to work? Just think of all the discounts, plus the Studentrate.com cash back feature. If no known retailers are looking for new employees, returning to a previous job can always help to reassure some income.

Be active and get healthy

College is stressful and fun, so in turn many students put on that unwanted weight. Winter break is a great time to get active. It may be cold outside, but gym passes are always available. Even without a gym, many vloggers, bloggers and joggers make a living by posting at-home exercise videos or tips for healthy eating. If you want to see results, when is a better time to start than at the beginning of a new year?

To-do-list

That to-do-list that kept building up over first semester, yes, the one with “create resume” on it. It’s time to get organized and start making moves. If you have not created a resume, this is the time to do it. If you have cover letters that need to be written, this is the time to do it. In addition, utilize your social media for professionalism. Twitter is up and coming is the business world. Make your personal brand shine by meeting employees for your dream company through different social media outlets.

There is always something you can be doing, but it is nice to catch a break after an exhausting semester. Do not stress yourself out about not working or not having a winternship, just look for better opportunities for summer.