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Nina and her friend posing for a photo outside during winter
I got to spend quality time with my friends over break.

Winter break is a great time to explore hobbies and interests, as well as work on professional development opportunities that you may not have time for during the semester. During this winter break, I have tried to find a happy balance between enjoying my hobbies and working on my professional growth. At the beginning of the break, I gave myself some much-needed time to relax and enjoy my favorite activities, such as watching movies, hanging out with friends, and working out. Once I felt rejuvenated, I jumped back into some of the work I had set aside for the break, such as my thesis and job applications. Read on to find out more about how I spent my break productively and enjoyably!

Exploring my Hobbies and Interests

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Nina sitting on a yoga mat

During this break I have watched a few movies so far, my favorites being The Talented Mr. Ripley and and Juror #2. I also watched a new series on Netflix called No Good Deed starring Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano. Finding a short mini-series is one of my favorite simple pleasures, and this was one of the better ones I have seen in a while.

I made sure to spend plenty of time with my friends from home, whom I rarely see during the school year since we're scattered across the country. We caught up, and took part in some of our favorite activities like getting together for coffee at our local cafés or exploring new walking trails with our dogs.

Another activity I have enjoyed is spending time at the gym and going for runs on the warmer days. With more available time, I have been able to explore new workouts such as Pilates and get back into yoga, which I began learning while studying abroad. 

Staying active is an important part of my overall well-being, and I have found that getting started consistently over break encourages me to continue steadily during the semester.

Staying Productive

Applying for jobs has been one of my main focuses during winter break, and I try to apply for around two to three positions every week. Searching for jobs can be a tedious task, so I often refer to the weekly newsletter from the SBS Pathways Center which includes job, internship, and event alerts. 

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A photo of a laptop screen

Another important focus of mine has been working on my Honors Thesis project, which I began during the fall. For my thesis, I am creating a dementia caregiver support group. So I spent the last few weeks recruiting participants, completing the proper facilitator training, and gathering resources. Having these few weeks to work on my thesis has been immensely helpful, allowing me to focus solely on the project with limited distractions.

Aside from job applications and my thesis, I have also been working as a substitute teacher for my local school system. This has been a rewarding experience, as I get to work with students from preschool through high school, making each day different. The job also allows me to see some of my old teachers, which is wonderful; reconnecting with them has been one of my favorite parts of the job. Not only is the position itself great, but it also offers me the opportunity to develop skills like public speaking, professionalism, and adaptability. While I initially had not expected to gain so much from this experience, I am grateful in many ways.

Winter break can seem like a long time to be away from campus, but it is also the perfect opportunity to spend time doing what you love and working on things you didn’t have as much time for during the semester. 

Article posted in Student life for Prospective students and Current students