Things You SHOULD Do On Break
Breaks come in many shapes and forms depending on where you are in your learning journey. High Schools and colleges/universities often have specific breaks: winter, spring, and summer, as well as those for various holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Professionals may have the flexibility to schedule their own breaks through vacation time or holiday schedules. Military personnel may also have some down time, such as when they are on leave or between tours.
To maximize your break time, consider taking the following steps to help ensure that you are ready to start back up again in full force when your down time comes to its inevitable end.
GET ORGANIZED
While students are in the thick of studying, their spaces often become cluttered. This happens frequently during finals time, right before a big deadline, and any time there are just too many things going on at once. Breaks are a good opportunity to clean off your desk, get rid of any extraneous clutter, and prepare your space so that it is ready for you when you get back to work.
MAKE A LIST
Take a few moments to prioritize your goals for the break and write them down. By doing this, you will know how much time you need to dedicate to the "must-do" list and how much time you will have available for the "want-to-do" list. (Plus, it feels REALLY good to cross things off lists!)
SCHEDULE
Whether you are planning your next school semester, your next big project, or just going back to work, having a plan can set your mind at ease and reduce stress. Set a tentative schedule for how your days might look so that you can step into the first day back with confidence. Remember: There is no way to perfectly predict the future, so keep your schedule flexible; this way, when things don't go according to plan, you can go with the flow.
RESUME REBOOT
Chances are, you've added some new skills or experiences to your resume since you last opened it. Pull up your resume, add the important skills you've learned, and remove any old or inessential information. It is always a good idea to have your resume ready to go for those “just-in-case” scenarios—the same goes for any professional profiles you may have online.
KEEP A ROUTINE
While you certainly don't have to get up at the same time as you would when not on break, it is nonetheless important to create a semblance of a routine to help keep you on track. Too often, it is easy to slip into the habit of letting the days run together. When this happens, the break can seem to end “suddenly,” and you may realize that your goals for this down time haven't been accomplished.
APPLY
Apply for scholarships if you are planning to continue your schooling: research available scholarships, grants, and fellowships for your area and for your major. If you are looking to return to school, start the application process. If you are ready to change careers, breaks are a great time to begin applying to new job postings.
READ
Choose something—anything—to read. It can be educational, fun, helpful, frivolous—just pick something and read it! Reading has numerous benefits: it improves focus, communication skills, and vocabulary; reduces stress; strengthens brain activity; and increases knowledge.
EXERCISE
Getting exercise can be as simple as going for a walk in the fresh air or hitting the gym for an intense workout. Find something that works for your body and your schedule. Exercise improves blood flow, reduces tension, improves brain health, supports better sleep, and generally improves overall health.
DO SOMETHING FOR YOU
While this list provides helpful and smart ideas, we admit that they may not be the most fun and exciting tasks to do during your break. Always make sure to dedicate time to yourself to have fun, relax, reduce stress, and—most importantly—enjoy your down time.