Winter Break Productivity
BY KATE CARBALLIDO
Congratulations on completing your fall semester at NYU! So, now what? As much as we are all looking forward to our month long break, it can be easy to feel unproductive while being back home and not in class. Here are some tips on how to stay busy and productive during the holiday season!
1. Take J-Term Classes
One productive way to spend your break is to continue taking classes. J-Term classes start on January 3rd and end on January 20th. This is a great chance to explore your other interests or take classes towards your minor or second major. A limited amount of classes are offered during J-Term so definitely check the course list early and make plans that best work for you.
2. Internship Hunt
Internship hunting and recruiting prep can be one of the most stressful aspects of college. Winter break is a great time to start researching what you might be interested in, make a list of internships you want to apply to, and begin noting requirements and deadlines for opportunities you are interested in. If you are still trying to figure out what you want to do, this is a great time to reach out to people in fields you are interested in, and learn more about their job. Getting organized while on break will help make your spring semester a little easier.
3. get a job or volunteer
If possible, getting a part-time job, or volunteering, during break can be beneficial in multiple ways. First, it's a great way to make some money and save, especially because we all know how expensive NYC can be…However, it also is a positive addition to any resume. These experiences could not only help with personal and professional development, but also provide some stories you can talk about during interviews such as when they ask you typical questions like “Can you explain a time you had to work in a team”, etc.
4. Plan future classes
Spreadsheets will be your best friend when it comes to this. This is particularly useful for freshman and sophomores who are beginning to figure out their college interests and career plans. Stern has certain required classes that must be taken before graduation, however there is plenty of room to pursue a second major, minor, or just take fun electives. Organizing this ahead of time, as best as you can, will take off a lot of pressure when course enrollment season rolls around again. Take time this break to consider any future goals you may have for your time at Stern!
5. Try a new hobby
Venturing into a non-academic hobby this break reaps many benefits. One example of this is to develop a workout routine! It can just be taking walks around your neighborhood. Being active is one of the best ways to relax your mind and get into a habit of moving around. Since the stress of classes is now removed for a bit, this offers plenty of time to develop a routine that you can continue on when school starts again!
I hope these tips will help, but most of all remember to enjoy your break and take enough time to rest and recharge! We all deserve it!