1. Rest 

This is our most important suggestion—now is the time to catch up on sleep! Students can't make up for a semester of late nights and early mornings, but taking time to rest and practice other self-care routines will help them feel refreshed and ready for next year.

2. Connect with family

Most students haven't been able to spend time with their extended families recently. Whether it’s their cousin they spent three summers with as pre-teens or their grandmother who has so many stories to share, now is a great time to give them a call or FaceTime. Not only will it bring your student closer to their families, which is always a win, but it might also lead to some unexpected self-reflection.

3. Get organized for spring/summer

Planning is half the battle, and if your student can get themselves organized, it'll be a lot easier once it comes around. Your student can buy that fancy planner they've been eyeing, open up their school calendar online, and write down any important dates that may impact their schedule. They can even add any to-do list items they know will come their way. Their future self will thank them for the time they spent anticipating stress-points now—rather than kicking themselves in April. 

4. Begin studying for the SAT/ACT

Although spending vacation time thinking about standardized testing doesn't seem ideal, it can free up some time for your student down the road—time they can then spend enjoying themselves. Choosing to get a head start preparing for any upcoming SAT or ACT exams while their mind—and calendar—are relaxed will give them a head start on the process..

5. Give back to the local community

'Tis the season for giving back. From helping a local food pantry restock their diminished supplies to cleaning up litter from a hiking trail that has seen an uptick in traffic, choosing to pay it forward is never a waste of time. There are even ways to volunteer remotely.

6. Read an older book or watch an old movie

Casablanca. The Color Purple. Jaws. The Federalist Papers. We hope your student has heard of these titles beyond their appearance in TikTok music samples or answers to a crossword puzzle. Either way, the holiday break is an awesome time for students to introduce themselves to a classic. It's relaxing for the student and will also get them thinking about why these classics were all the rage back in their day.

Regardless of what your students choose to do over winter break, they should go easy on themselves. It's been a tough year, and they deserve to give their minds a break, enjoy some downtime, and find the energy to keep themselves productively moving forward.