It's already the holiday season (YAY!) and winter break is just around the corner ❄️ Here are 12 ways (self-productive and school-productive) to make the most of your winter break.
If you'd prefer to listen to content on this topic, check out our most recent podcast on making the most of your winter break below!
Ways to Make the Most of Winter Break: Self-Care
Because you deserve it!
1. Read, watch TV, and see friends 👯
This one is a classic; winter break is the perfect time to catch up on reading the latest from BookTok, TV shows you missed, and hanging out with friends! Have friends who are far away? Host a PowerPoint night over Zoom! Or bundle up for outdoor wintery activities!
2. Redecorate your room ✨
Switch up the energy in your space! Whether you get some new decorations, paint a wall, or move around the furniture in your room, redecorating can help make things feel new before NYE!
3. Catch up on sleep 😴
🗣️ SLEEP! IS! PRODUCTIVE! Making sure you catch up on sleep during winter break is necessary and will help you feel refreshed for the new year! Hit snooze 💤
4. Reflect 💭
Cliché? Yeah, probably. But seriously, this is a great time to think about your life. What's working? What isn't? Anything you'd like to keep doing next year or start doing?
Also, enjoy your time with your loved ones!
Ways for Underclassmen to Make the Most of Winter Break: Academic
Boost your admissions success with these winter break tips for college prep!
5. Explore summer programs on Scoir! ☀️
Believe it or not, winter is when many summer program applications are due or become open! Escape the cold by thinking of the summer sun and explore what you might be interested in doing.
Not sure where to start? You can explore Summer Programs, Pre-College Programs, and more on Scoir. Keep an eye on the Discover tab to check them out there!
6. Update your resume 📝
Pro tip. Use Scoir! It's easy and more fun. Just create your Scoir account and start populating your profile, then, bam: you've got your resume. We also have this blog post with a resume template that you can use.
7. Build your college list in Scoir📱
Take a few minutes to search for colleges in Scoir and add them to your list. Feel like overachieving? Write down why you're interested in each college. That info will come in handy when you start applying, especially for your college essays.
8. Apply for scholarships 🤑
Many college scholarship applications either become available or are due in the winter!
Elena's Pro Tip: Play four of your favorite songs and collect as many scholarships as you qualify for in that time. By the end of the 4th song, you'll have a great list of scholarships to apply to!
9. Go on a college road trip 🚗
Picture this: you've got one friend on aux, one friend with the snacks, and another friend with jokes! What better way to spend winter break than a college road trip? Whether the college is down the street or two hours away, grab a friend who can drive and explore a college campus and its majors.
Ways for Seniors to Make the Most of Winter Break: Academic
Fend of senioritis with lots of rest! Once you're all rested up, tackle some of these senior holiday to dos.
10. Thank those who wrote you letters of rec 💙
They're pretty cool for writing you a letter of recommendation. Be sure to thank them!
11. Complete your FAFSA and CSS Profile ✅
No the most fun of the to dos, but your future self will thank you for this one for sure. The sooner you complete these forms, the better your chances of maximizing your financial aid opportunities. Make sure to check for your state or college's specific deadlines for the FAFSA and CSS Profile (if applicable) while you're at it.
12. Finish your college applications ✔️
You're SO CLOSE. Another pro tip...make sure someone else reviews your college application, like a friend or family member, to check mistakes.
Bonus: Set a New Year's intention! 🎇
Get the good energy flowing with a New Year's intention to start the year on a positive note! 💫
Follow us on Instagram @scoirinc and listen to this other winter break podcast episode for even more tips on making the most of your winter break! Happy holidays! ☃️
This article was originally published on December 16, 2022. It was updated on December 19, 2025 for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Abby deSilva is the Inbound Marketing Strategist at Scoir. She loves creating content and helping students find their dream college and career.
Peter Van Buskirk: October 01, 2025
