School is finally out. Like most high school students, you probably think the December holidays cannot come soon enough for you. After a long and gruelling school year, what can you do during this long-awaited holiday season to keep productive and resist the temptation to do nothing during this month? Aspire Atlantic has a few thoughts on how to make the most of your December holiday. 

Keep Fit!

It may seem obvious but it is so important to keep fit and healthy during this relaxation time. As a high school student-athlete, the December holidays could be the perfect opportunity for you to make that jump from being a good competitive player in your sport to a great one. If you are competing in any competitive sport, keeping fit and strong during the December break is essential. Speak to your coach or fitness trainer about putting together a holiday workout program for you to follow so that you can return to your club/school team fully prepared to tackle the new challenges and the new season head-on.

Research the type of colleges and universities you would like to attend

If you are going into grade 11 or grade 12 next year, the December break could be the perfect time to start looking at what college/universities you may like to attend once you have that matric certificate under your belt. There are so many things to consider when looking for that perfect university fit. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What US state would I like to call home for the next 4 years of my college career?
• Do I want to live and study in a big city? A small country town? Do I want to live near the beach?  
• Would I prefer attending a public or private university?
• Would I prefer to study in a State where it is warm and sunny for most of the year or do I want to study a little further north and experience a snowy winter?
• Does the university offer the major I would like to study?

As you can see, there are a number of factors to consider. Having some down time during the break may be the perfect opportunity for you to do some research. These questions can be tough to answer, so this is a perfect way to make the most of your December break.

Set some goals for next year

What do you want to achieve in the new year?  Take some time to set yourself some realistic goals both in the classroom and on the sports field. As you know, your academics is probably the most important factor in determining whether or not you will be accepted into your dream university. So take a look at your end of year report and see where you can improve. Now, set yourself a goal to achieve it. Map out a plan and create a schedule to achieve the academic goals you have set yourself. 

In the same way, set some sporting goals for yourself to help make you a standout athlete. Ensure US college coaches take notice of your sporting abilities and achievements. Your aim should be to leave no doubt in their mind that you are exactly the type of athlete they need on their team. Do you want to make your provincial or national team? What handicap do you want to obtain a year from now? How fast do you want to run that 100m sprint? Set your goals and figure out how you will achieve them. 

Spend Time With Family and Friends

Spend some quality time with your family and friends. For many high school students, the December holidays are the only times during the year that you get to spend with your loved ones. Use the free time you have to go to the cinema, take a small trip, or just simply enjoy those incredibly competitive family game nights. Use this time to reconnect and share stories of your time apart with the ones you love. This may be the perfect way to rest, relax and rejuvenate yourself for the year that lies ahead.  

Deciding how to spend the holidays for students is no easy decision. After a long school year, we tend to look forward to the holidays as an opportunity to rest, catch up on some sleep and just have fun. While that is great we often find that time can seem to drag along. So why not make this holiday season a productive one? Let us know below how you plan to make the most of the December holiday!

Remember, it’s always the perfect time to begin your journey towards studying at the university of your dreams. Sign up here for a free consultation with one of our recruitment experts. You could join over 300 student-athletes already placed in the USA, competing at the highest level and earning a world-class degree!