Five Ways to Make the Most of Your Winter Break

Thanksgiving is over, and for many college students that means the final week or two of classes followed by finals.  Late night Netflix studying is about to commence in full force as the final push for decent grades begins.  This also means winter break is quickly approaching.  For many college students, winter break is a time for sleeping in late, lounging about, and catching up on The Price is Right.  While the break will look different depending on the student, most will be heading home for 5-8 weeks of well-deserved R&R.

Before you know it, though, spring classes will be starting and you’ll be looking back wondering what, if anything, you accomplished over break.  College classes are tough, and clubs/athletics/social life can be demanding.  You deserve some rest, but don’t let this time pass by without being able to look back at something you did that can be considered meaningful.  There are plenty of ideas that could qualify as such, but here are five to get you started:

1. Read a book of the Bible

I’ll start with the preachy one.  Hopefully during this past semester you’ve been able to spend time in fellowship with other Christians on campus.  Maybe this meant a bible study, jamming to worship songs on the quad, times of prayer, or just sharing a meal together.  It’s easy to slip out of good habits over a break, so commit to reading one book of the bible.  I’m even going to say stick with one book.  Spend your time focusing in on what that one book has to say.  If six weeks is the typical winter break, that means you have 42 days to commit to that one book.  You can approach this one of two ways: Pick a longer book and read it over the course of your entire break, or choose something shorter and read through it several times.  Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is full of incredible insights on topics like prayer, grace, unity, and relationships; and it’s only six chapters!  Reading just one chapter a day, you could easily read through it seven times over your break!

Look up resources to help you through.  Find a sermon series that worked through the book you’re reading, pick up a commentary from your local Christian bookstore, or simply use commentaries available online.  It’s hard to see any way you’ll regret using your break to know a book of the bible better than you did in the fall semester.

2. Spend time with a family member you don’t see during the school year

When I was little I was pretty close to my Pop Pop (my mom’s dad).  By the time I was off to college he and I drifted apart some.  Fortunately, somewhere around my sophomore year of college I started spending more time with him again.  I’d cut the grass for him or just hang out and talk baseball.  I’m grateful I did, because Easter of my junior year he unexpectedly passed.

I don’t share that story to scare you into spending time with grandparents or other people in your life with advanced age, but the truth is no one is around forever.  Scripture is full of this reminder (Psalm 89:47, 1 Peter 1:24, James 4:14 to name a few examples).  While you’re away at college creating what is in many ways a new life, all the folks who knew you before this time in your life are still there.  Many of them think of you regularly.  Don’t forget about them.  Set aside time to spend with them while home.

3. Help your parents with something

One of the coolest things about going away to college is watching the transformation that takes place in the parent-child relationship.  This will obviously look different for everyone, but generally speaking you are growing in maturity and responsibility.  Some parents may push back on this thinking of you as their little boy or girl and treat you as such.  Be patient, and understand that leaving adolescence and entering adulthood isn’t just hard on you, it’s hard on those who raised you.

One way to demonstrate your new maturity and hopefully show your parents that you’re not a child anymore is to volunteer to help with something around the house.  Do chores without being asked; taking out the trash, washing the dishes, and doing your own laundry are just a few examples.  Another way to contribute is to make dinner a couple nights or chip in with Christmas cookie baking.  Being treated like an adult requires acting like one.  Find ways to show your parents you’re growing up.

4. Meet up with your college friends

During my first semester of college, several of us grew really close.  It was tough not seeing them regularly over winter break, so a bunch of us got together to go see Catch Me if You Can (yes, I’m older than you) which was just released.  It was a fun evening where we were reminded that we weren’t friends just because we were stuck with each other while at college, rather we genuinely enjoyed each other’s company!  Do something similar.  Hit up a diner somewhere in between where all of you live, or find some cool Christmas-inspired event going on nearby.  Maybe you have an awesome tradition in your hometown that you want them to experience.  Invite them!  I’m not going to lie, it might be awkward at first if your college friends meet your hometown friends, but that feeling will pass.

For some of you live far away from each other, phone dates, Skype, and FaceTime exist for a reason.  Don’t forget about your college friends over your break.  Make sure to connect with them a time or two while apart!

5. Create a list of goals for the spring semester

I’m saving the (seemingly) most boring advice for last.  You might not like thinking of what awaits for you in the spring semester, especially if you’re taking a heavy course load. Still, coming up with a game plan in advance will only be beneficial.

Draft academic goals you’d like to see accomplished.  Maybe you just missed Dean’s List last semester, and what to go for it this time around.  To help make that happen, create a weekly calendar for yourself.  Block out times for classes, work, and meals.  These things tend to be pretty static week-to-week.  Next,  block out times for clubs and other activities you’re committed to.  Finally, and this one might not be fun, but set aside time for studying.  The rule of thumb is that you should study two-three hours a week for every credit you’re taking.  For example, if you’re taking 15 credits this coming semester, you should be studying another 30-45 hours a week.  I know that sounds like a lot, but most of you should be able to find enough time to do it.  And if you pull it off, I can almost guarantee better grades!

Also come up with personal goals.  Thinking of being an RA next year?  Apply and check it out!  Want to find a mentor to help you through college?  Start thinking of folks around you (professor, hall director, an upperclassman, campus minister, etc.) that have your best interests in heart and are doing things you want to do.  Most people working in the college environment do it because they enjoy college students.  There’s no reason to feel intimidated about asking someone if they could mentor you.  They’ll probably jump at the opportunity!

Personal goals are just that: personal.  Think of what you want to accomplish in the spring semester outside of classes and find what you need to make it happen.

There really are a lot of great things you can do over winter break.  These are just a few that I’ve seen be effective for college students.  Even if you do all five, I’m sure you’ll still have plenty of time to decompress from the fall semester, except now you’ll be able to look back and see the meaningful things you accomplished as well.