How to Make the Most out of Spring Break

Spring Break is an eagerly awaited time for students of all ages. Many seniors will be suffering from “senioritis” and it can be hard to know how to make the most out of spring break. Rather than doing nothing all day, here are some ways to remain productive and make the ensure that time is being used wisely!

• Begin working on FAFSA

FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is used by the government to determine how much federal aid a student qualifies for, based on several factors including taxes filed, yearly income, and number of members in a household. Although this is not an extremely complicated process, it does require a lot of paperwork to be submitted. Some of these papers, you may not have handy. For this reason, it is a good idea to begin working on it early so that once your schools request it, you are able to quickly send it in and not have to worry. For more information about FAFSA and the process, please visit the FAFSA’s questions page.

• Begin the search for summer job or internship

Once spring break arrives, summer is not far behind. It is around this time that many applications for jobs and internships are posted. The early you begin searching for them, the more you will have to choose from. This will also give you plenty of time to work on constructing a resume to submit for applications. If you do not know how to construct a resume, you’re in luck! There are several websites dedicated to aiding the construction of one. Some of these websites are Resume-Now, GotResumeBuilder, and Resume.com. Once a resume has been built, you can begin searching for jobs and internships in your area. Once again, there are many websites dedicated to this such as Internships.com, and Indeed.com. Another great way to look for jobs and internships is by simply asking around. Many times friends, family members, or teachers will have connections which can help you secure a job or internship.

• Apply for Scholarships

The time to submit applications for scholarships is fast approaching! Investing a few hours during spring break searching for scholarships may pay off big in the end. It is advisable to apply for any scholarship you qualify for, even if you do not think you will get it. The ones that require a bit more work, such as having to write an essay will usually have less competition, as many people will be discouraged to apply to these because of the extra effort required. Great places to find scholarships are your school, local business, and online. Some websites that help students find scholarships are College Board, Scholarships.com, and Chegg.com, although there are hundreds more as well.

• Start reviewing for AP Exams

AP Exams don’t begin until May, but getting an early start on things never hurts! After all of the hard work you have put in throughout the year, you want to make sure you get a qualifying score. AP classes move at an accelerated pace and cover a lot, so taking some time to review during winter break will ensure that the information has been learned, not just memorized. Reviewing notes that have been taken in class is a good way to study, but there are also many other resources available online. College Board offers many practice tests online, which can serve as a guide to see where you excel, and what needs more work. If you prefer flashcards, Quizlet, is a great resource. It allows you to make flashcards online, which can be accessed from your phone so that any time becomes study time!

• Catch up on any late work

Spring break is a great time to catch up on any late or missing work you may have. Although a missing homework assignment or two may not seem like a big deal, it can end up being the difference between a B+, and an A-. Completing any missing work is something which requires a small amount of time and effort, but can make a big difference in the end. Even a small boost on your grades will help make you more appealing to colleges who are, at this point in the year, reviewing your application. It is essential to make sure you are at the top of your game, even at the end of the year.

Amanda De Moraes

Boston Tutoring Services