The Texas OnCourse Educator Blog

Winter break is one of my favorite times of the year. As a high school counselor, I look forward to the long, quiet lull between mid-December and the new year when my schedule frees up and I have more control over my day. I’ve learned that it’s important to harness the gift of free time and use it to recharge and prepare myself for a strong spring semester. Students can and should do the same in order to become college and career ready. Here are three tips for educators and three tips for students on how to return to school in January refreshed and more focused than ever:

What’s a student to do during the summer? After a time, another day at the pool or afternoon spent playing video games can seem humdrum. Summertime offers a wonderful opportunity for students to broaden their life experiences. The more life experiences, the more well rounded the student – and the more potential college essay material! It’s all about changing it up. Here are several options:

Summertime is a great time to make (and fulfill) wish lists. In a perfect world, what are some things you wish you had the time or energy to do? For some, having a little more free time means considering how they can positively impact their communities. When you have extra, you might be more apt to consider sharing the extra that you have.