Aralia Empowers Students Worldwide
We're proud to guide a thriving community of students worldwide! Our award-winning teachers and college professors offer a wide range of competition preparation and academic classes to jumpstart your learning journey.
1. Plan Ahead for Summer Opportunities
Many summer programs, internships, and research opportunities are accepting applications as early as spring. Winter break is an ideal time to explore enriching opportunities for the summer, such as attending summer schools or participating in study-abroad programs to broaden your academic and cultural horizons. You can also research internships that align with your career interests, offering hands-on experience and professional growth. Additionally, consider identifying volunteer or community service options that resonate with your passions, allowing you to make a meaningful impact while developing valuable skills.
Aralia has compiled a list of different summer activities that you can consider, depending on your interests.
- 12 MIT Summer Programs for High School Students
- 20 High School Summer Programs for Rising Sophomores
- 18 Pre-College Summer Programs for High School Students 2024-2025
- Women in STEM: 9 STEM Programs for High School Girls
- 11 History Summer Programs for High School Students
- 24 Summer Internships for High School Students 2024-2025
- 18 High School Leadership Programs 2024-2025
- 20 Summer Activities for High School Students
Pro Tip: Check application deadlines and start gathering materials early. Planning ahead ensures you’re not overwhelmed later in the year.
2. Job Shadow for Career Exploration
Job shadowing is one of the winter break activities students can do. Job shadowing is an excellent way for high school students to gain firsthand exposure to careers they are curious about. By observing professionals in their daily work environments, you can better understand the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards associated with different roles. This experience not only helps you explore potential career paths but also equips you with valuable insights that can inform your educational and professional decisions.
How to Get Started with Job Shadowing
- List careers or industries you’re curious about.
- Reach out to professionals for informational interviews or shadowing opportunities. Leverage your existing personal network, such as family, friends, or teachers. When reaching out, be polite and clear of your intention. In the Complete Guide to High School Internships article, we provide an email example for you to get started with reaching out to people.
- Prepare thoughtful questions. To make the most out of the job shadowing experience, we recommend you come prepared with questions to help you further understand the role. For example:
- What does a typical day look like in this job?
- What skills or qualities are most important in this role?
- What do you enjoy most about your work? What are the biggest challenges?
- Do you have any advice for high school students considering this career path?
If an in-person experience job shadowing isn’t possible, you can schedule a virtual coffee chat as well! Virtual coffee chats are an excellent alternative to connect with professionals and gain insights.
3. Take Online Courses to Deepen Knowledge
Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX have revolutionized learning by making various courses accessible to students worldwide. These platforms offer both free and paid options, covering an extensive range of subjects tailored to diverse interests and academic levels. Explore topics that interest you or supplement your high school curriculum. This enhances your knowledge and helps build skills for future academic and professional pursuits.
Suggested Subjects:
- Data Science: Understand the basics of data analysis, visualization, and real-world applications.
- Creative Writing: Hone your narrative skills, learn storytelling techniques, and craft compelling writing pieces.
- Environmental Studies: Gain insights into sustainability, climate change, and ecological systems.
- Coding and Programming: Learn popular programming languages like Python or Java and work on hands-on projects.
Bonus: Many courses on platforms like Coursera and edX offer certificates upon successful completion. These certificates can be valuable additions to your college applications, showcasing your initiative, commitment, and expertise in specific areas.
85% of Aralia Students Place in Top Writing Competitions
4. Build a Reading Habit
Reading is a timeless and versatile way to expand your horizons, sharpen your critical thinking skills, and ignite your creativity. The habit of reading can have a transformative impact on both your academic and personal growth.
Recommended Reading Lists:
- 3 Must-Read Books About Academic Writing to Make Your Writing Stand Out! The Secret to Writing Success for High School Students
- Top 12 Summer Reads for Incoming High School Freshmen
- Top 10 Psychology Books You Should Read Now!
- 11 Books by Women of Color for High School Students
If you’re struggling to find the right books, platforms like Goodreads or YouTube can help you discover new books. Whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, or poetry, picking books that genuinely interest you makes the experience enjoyable and keeps you motivated to read consistently. Don’t forget to set aside a specific time each day to read; even 20 minutes a day can make a big difference.
5. Work on an Independent Project
Independent projects are a fantastic way to explore your passions and demonstrate your ability to take initiative. They’re not only enriching but also leave a lasting impression on college applications and resumes.
There are various ideas for independent projects depending on your personal interests. Below are some examples to get you started:
- 20 Unique Passion Projects for High School Students
- Write a short story or essay for a writing competition.
- Create an art portfolio or craft a unique piece.
- Start a blog or YouTube channel on a topic you’re passionate about.
- Develop a science experiment or entrepreneurial idea
- Research a Topic of Interest
Independent projects help you grow academically, creatively, and personally. They encourage you to think critically, solve problems, and express yourself in ways that standard classroom assignments often don’t allow.
6. Prepare for College Applications
Winter break offers a unique opportunity to focus on college preparation without the distractions of regular schoolwork. Regardless of your grade level, taking advantage of this downtime can give you a significant head start in the college application process. We have published How to Create a Four-Year High School Plan to help students get a better overview of their 4 years of high school.
Grade-Specific Tips for College Preparation
- Freshmen (9th Grade): At this stage, it’s all about laying a strong foundation. Focus on improving core skills like writing and exploring extracurricular activities.
- Sophomores (10th Grade): Begin researching colleges that align with your academic and personal interests. Use resources like college websites, virtual tours, and informational sessions to create a list of potential schools. Additionally, consider starting a resume that highlights your achievements, activities, and skills. Participating in impactful activities, such as internships or competitions, will help strengthen your profile.
- Juniors (11th Grade): This is a pivotal year for college preparation. Prepare for standardized tests and start drafting your college essays. Start building relationships with teachers who could write compelling recommendation letters for you in the future.
- Seniors (12th Grade): Winter break is a crucial time for finalizing your college applications. Finalize application materials, such as personal statements, resumes, and recommendation letters. If you’re applying to schools with rolling or regular decision deadlines, use this time to review your applications thoroughly and ensure they reflect your best work.
Elevate Your Winter Break with Expert Guidance
At Aralia Education, we offer tailored courses and programs designed to help high school students succeed academically and personally.
Why Choose Aralia As One Of The Winter Break Activities?
- Guided by Excellence: Be instructed by esteemed educators from prestigious American high schools and universities. Our faculty includes active instructors in American educational institutions, AP/IB exam graders, distinguished competition judges, and award-winning coaches.
- Diverse Course Selection: Choose from over 50 distinctive academic programs, empowering you to pursue your passions.
- Student-Centered: Experience personalized attention with small class sizes and one-on-one teaching.
To enroll in Aralia classes, contact us using the form below!
Our classes are meticulously crafted by a team of world-renowned instructors. These classes are strategically designed to foster essential skills tailored to the needs of any learner. Our curriculum emphasizes the development of critical thinking, honing logical reasoning skills, and a comprehensive improvement of various skills.
Our teachers have earned outstanding achievements in their specific teaching fields. For example, instructors of AP courses frequently serve as AP admissions officers. Additionally, teachers focusing on competitions have been honored with state and national awards, including prestigious recognitions such as Scholastic and John Locke.
