For a high school student, holidays provide you with an opportunity to work on aspects of your profile that will help you get into selective colleges. Since the winter breaks are shorter, it is important to plan these days smartly so that you can maximize the impact of your activity. Importantly do not commit to too many activities that will unnecessarily overwhelm you and derail all your efforts. If your family has planned a holiday, you must create your schedule in advance and enjoy the short getaways. Choosing your program wisely will help you engage effectively and you can make the most of the break
This blog explores some ways in which students can enhance their profiles while taking time out to enjoy this time of the year.
Community service:
If you are passionate about any particular cause, this is the time to demonstrate it. Partnering with a local NGO and visiting them regularly for a few days; will result in a fulfilling activity. Winter heralds with it numerous challenges in many cities. Providing warmth and comfort to people on the streets is a way to show that you care. Engaging in food and blanket distribution activities for the homeless is a highly rewarding experience. In case you are an animal lover, you can work at an animal shelter, provide jackets to street dogs help with their vaccinations, etc. There are numerous activities that you can undertake, but you need to have a total commitment to the same. Your consistency and impactful contributions will go a long way in elevating your community service activity.
Skill Development:
Skills are the currency of your success. As a student, the skills you develop today will make you competitive in every sphere. Understanding relevant skills, their importance, and how to develop them can help you constantly improve them for personal growth. Skills such as communication, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, technology literacy, etc can all be honed by undertaking short courses. Several learning websites are offering self-paced courses that students can sign up for. Coursera, Udemy, Codecademy Babbel, SkillShare, etc. Many instructor-driven online workshops are also available. Whatever your interests are, these short courses help you to get additional training.
Develop a Reading Habit
This is the simplest and the most effective habit every student can develop. Unfortunately, in an age of digital tsunami, reading is becoming a rare habit one sees among students. Reading helps you engage in meaningful conversations, it gives you the vocabulary for humor, the clarity of thought for debates, and the ability to craft great written work. With a book with you, you are never alone. Use the holidays to get started on the novel that never got picked up, read the whodunnit if you enjoy mystery, and read literature and classics to understand the evolution of societies. Explore different genres or read books that you enjoy- but Read!
Creative Projects:
This is the perfect time to work on the book of poems or short stories that you have been wanting to write. Set a goal and work towards publishing them. Becoming a published author is a great way to showcase your love for something you are passionate about. Creating digital content is also a fantastic activity. Writing your script, shooting, editing, and publishing on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook enhances your digital presence. Leveraging technology to create impactful content is crucial. If you have an idea, this is the time to try it out and build a portfolio.
Career Exploration
By the time you are in high school, you may have some idea about the kind of career you want to pursue. This is also an excellent time to explore careers by way of job shadowing. Getting a 360-degree understanding of the day in the life of a professional is a novel way to deepen your understanding of the requirements of the particular job. Working in a law firm or shadowing a doctor can provide insight into potential career paths and build a network.
These are just a few of the examples of how you can make your holidays count. Along with these, students must remember that this is the time to rejuvenate. Activities should be done in a balanced manner and you should be able to spend time catching up with friends and family.
