As the air gets cooler and the holiday lights shine brighter, many students are dreaming not only of the holidays, but the coming break. While it is tempting to sleep in until noon and binge your favorite show, there are a lot of other valuable things students can do with their time off. Here are a few tips for juniors and seniors on investing in the future during winter break.
Juniors
As you have entered the second half of your high school career, you are probably starting to think about your future and what you plan to do after high school. Considering college? Here are a few tips that can help move you towards that goal.
Test Prep
While thinking about the ACT or SAT can be nerve-racking, studying can help reduce anxiety. Set goals for yourself, purchase study prep books, and take practice exams so you can knock the real test out of the park. Plus, how great will that good score look on a college application? Answer: Fantastic! So study hard, it’s worth it. If your first score isn’t where you want it to be, don’t be afraid to take the test again to improve the score. A good test score makes your application stronger, and and taking it again shows admissions reps that you’re a hard working student who wants to offer your best. Check out the links below for test prep advice from the experts.
Do Your Research
As your senior year approaches, it’s time to start thinking about where you will begin the next chapter of your life. When considering college, it’s important to do plenty of research so you can find the one that’s the best fit for you. A great place to start is by browsing for colleges on the web and social media. As you take a first look, there are many factors you’ll want to consider, such as;
- Programs: Do they offer majors and minors that interest you?
- Size: How big or small of a campus are you looking for?
- Location: Do you want to stay in state or go out of state
- Student Life: What can you be involved in?
- City: Is the campus in a thriving community that features options for everything from entertainment to internships?
Interested in learning about what we offer at UW Oshkosh? Check out our list of programs here.
Visit Campus
Once your research has generated a list of schools that interest you, it’s time to see them for yourself via a campus visit! A tour is the best way to visualize what it could be like to be a student on a particular campus. Checking out everything from the food to the study spaces will help you get a feel for if it’s a good fit for you or not. The reality is that no matter what programs are available, if you don’t feel at home on your campus you won’t be as successful as you could be. So go take some tours!
Volunteer
Many colleges love to see volunteer experiences on your application, so why wait? Find local places to volunteer near you and gain valuable experience while you are there. Plus, volunteering is a great way to make someone else’s day brighter, and what’s better than that?
Read
While it seems so simple, reading is a great way to keep your brain engaged and in the right mindset while you’re on break. Pick up that dusty novel or biography you’ve been meaning to read all semester and finish it while you have time! After all, readers are leaders.
Seniors
You can practically feel your high school diploma in your hands. Picture where you want to be after high school, and what steps you need to take to get there. For those of you who are pursuing a college education, here are a few tips for using your break to be ready to roll for your first semester of college.
Apply
If you’ve been on the fence, don’t wait any longer to fill out that college application! The sooner you find out where you’ve been accepted, the more effectively you can plan for the fall. Still wondering about possibly becoming a Titan? Don’t wait, invest in your future now by starting UWO’s application process here!
Free. Money. (Some Effort Required)
Many students wish that there was a way to snap your fingers and have all of your tuition paid for. While unfortunately this isn’t plausible, applying for scholarships is the closest thing to it and is a fantastic first step towards bringing educational expenses down. UWO Scholarships can be found at uwosh.edu/go/scholarships, but don’t stop there! Scholarships are often offered locally via businesses and community organizations, or can be found online. Just remember, scholarship apps are always free to fill out. Any app that wants to charge you should be avoided. For more info, our Financial Aid Office has helpful scholarship resources that can be found here.
Volunteer
Volunteer experience is always a great thing to have on both a college application, and a resume. It shows that you have passion for your community, as well as a drive to help others. Find a place to volunteer that aligns with your passions, strengths and goals, and you’ll have an enriching and life-giving experience. Bring a friend, too!
Get That Bread
As a senior it can be easy to want to slack off. It is very important to stay motivated and ambitious during your last year of high school. Finish out your journey there as eagerly as you began when you walked through the front doors as a freshman. Don’t let those grades slip! Don’t stop setting goals! All of your hard work will pay off in the end, and stellar work ethic and responsibility becomes increasingly valuable in college.