All cherish the undoubtedly long-awaited winter break, and it’s important for mental health to take the time to regenerate and recuperate. However, the Diploma Program still expects a lot, and setting small but manageable academic goals can be the key to optimizing success and enjoyment during the holiday season!
First and Foremost: Rest!
Even with all the work ahead, it’s important to take the time to relax. Rest and relaxation are vital for improving mood, energy, productivity, and much more! Without it, trying to push yourself academically will be much more laborious. Make sure to set aside days to just rest, be with your family and friends, and celebrate! Try to tidy up your living space as well, since it will help you clear your mind and give you a fresh start. It’s always crucial to enter a new year with a positive and refreshed outlook on life, and resting is the perfect way to ensure you do so.
The Power of Micro-Deadlines
Any experienced IB student can vouch for the idea of setting micro-deadlines for yourself, and winter break doesn’t have to be an exception to that. Read a few pages of notes per subject each day, maybe before going to sleep or during some downtime. Specifically, aim to revisit weak topics to ensure the best preparation for the upcoming second semester. If you find yourself needing to travel by tram or car often, put on some YouTube videos explaining the last topic your class covered in a particular subject. The Organic Chemistry Tutor is perfect for a long and mundane car ride, for example. Doing a small set of exam-style questions (5-10) could also help freshen up that knowledge even more, while also being a small step towards revision for finals! Remember to end senior year on a high note to maintain your grades for university, since many give conditional offers.
Additionally, try to set micro-deadlines for your IAs. Science and Math IAs are the main ones left, so setting aside days for data organization, calculations, or writing the evaluation could make it all much more manageable! Try to always do something, even if it’s small, to move along in the writing process.
CAS and Other Activities
Winter is also a great time to try some new CAS activities, especially ones that are winter-themed! You can volunteer with children and work on your holiday crafts, or you can donate old clothing to those in need. Baking and cooking different holiday-themed treats for different dietary conditions could also be a great way to educate classmates while also having fun with your friends. Aside from activities for CAS, it’s always a great time to devote yourself to some exercise and physical movement to maintain focus and concentration for the busy semester ahead. Ice-skating with friends or walking around Christmas markets can be a great way to do that. Or of course, do something slow and relaxing, like reading a good book. You could even read some books related to your desired major, which you could mention when applying.
University Applications and Deadlines
Perhaps the most dreaded aspect of winter break is perfecting your college application. While it’s essential to take a break and relax, you should make sure to plan well ahead for college! If you haven’t already, make sure to ask teachers for letters of recommendation at least a month in advance, especially since regular decision dates for many universities are in the period from December to January. Have your demographic information all set, and remember to take the time to perfect your personal statement! Read it over many times, and ask your family or friends to give you feedback on how accurately it represents you! If you need to answer additional questions for your specific university, sit down and really commit to making them sound authentic and representative of you as a person. Scroll through articles, watch YouTube videos, or even look at what actual students at said university have to say on Reddit. Making use of available resources will make the stressful process ever so slightly less excruciating. Write down everything in a Google document and then copy and paste away into Common App, UCAS, or whatever platform you want to use use!
Happy Holidays!
Even with the typical IB-style workload, don’t forget to take the time for yourself this holiday season! Don’t let your work pile up for the last few days before the semester, and truly take the time to revise subject content, manage your IAs, and add the finishing touches to your college applications! But, in order to do that, take care of yourself and prioritize your mental health by surrounding yourself with family, friends, and holiday spirit! Happy holidays and good luck!!!
