How to Make the Most of Winter Break During the Admissions Process

Winter break is one of the rare times of year when schedules slow down just enough to create space. For families in the admissions process, that extra time can feel both helpful and overwhelming. 

At School First, we encourage families to see winter break as an opportunity to work intentionally, not intensively. 

What that looks like depends on your child’s age, but across every stage, winter break offers a chance to make progress and gain clarity on your admission process

Here’s what families can focus on during this time, and how to make the most of any stage of the admissions journey without burnout.

Early Childhood (PreK - Kindergarten)

For families applying to early childhood programs, winter break is more about preparing your perspective than about preparing your child. 

This is an ideal time to:

  • Reflect on your child’s personality, interests, and needs
  • Notice how they play, problem solve, and engage when routines are relaxed 
  • Think about what environments help them feel confident, curious, and supported

If parent statements or questionnaires are part of your applications, winter break gives you space to:

  • Capture real moments and anecdotes that bring your child to life on the page
  • Have thoughtful conversations about values and priorities
  • Draft responses without the pressure of everyday demands

For you, this stage is about reflection and organization, not acceleration.

Elementary & Middle School

For elementary and middle school applicants, winter break is a helpful moment to take stock.

Families often use this time to:

  • Review application checklists
  • Confirm interviews, visits, and recommendations statuses
  • Revisit student and parent writing with fresh eyes

Because kids tend to be less stressed over break, it can also be a natural time for low-pressure conversations about school visits or interviews, reflection on what they enjoy about each school, and helping them articulate their interests and needs. 

Progress here doesn’t require long work sessions. Short conversations and gentle reflection often go much further than forced productivity.

High School Admissions

For high school applicants, winter break often becomes one of the most productive stretches of the season.

With fewer daily obligations, students can:

  • Draft or revise student statements thoughtfully
  • Work through short-answer questions without rushing
  • Review feedback and make intentional edits

Winter break is also a great time to practice interview responses, revisit school choices and priorities, and make sure recommendations, transcripts, and testing are on track. 

Summer Opportunities

Winter break is the perfect time to explore and apply to summer opportunities before the mad dash of applications and deadlines.

Students can use this time to:

  • Research summer programs on college campuses
  • Explore internships, research opportunities, or enrichment programs
  • Begin building their resume with experiences aligned to their interests

Approaching summer planning during winter break keeps it low-pressure and gives students time to make thoughtful choices rather than rushed ones. One great resource for finding opportunities is Snowday, which helps curate summer programs (and more) based on student interests. 

College Admissions

For college applicants, winter break often falls right in the heart of Regular Decision season.

Students are typically:

  • Finalizing and submitting applications
  • Polishing essays and supplements
  • Completing interviews, auditions, or portfolio reviews
  • Checking portals to confirm materials are received

At the same time, winter break can also be a wonderful moment for college exploration, especially for younger high school students.

One of the most overlooked opportunities during winter break is low-pressure college visits.

Even visiting one or two local campuses can be incredibly valuable. The goal isn’t to evaluate programs or admissions chances, but to notice how different environments feel and start to take stock of the things you’re going to be looking for when it’s your time to apply. 

Students can start to identify:

  • Whether they prefer a large public university, mid-size private school, or small liberal arts college
  • How campus size, setting, and energy affect them
  • What excites them and what doesn’t

If your family is traveling over break, it can often be surprisingly easy to add a campus visit along the way. Even a short walk through campus or an informal stop can turn a trip into a meaningful learning experience and help students put language to their preferences earlier in the process.

A Reminder for Families 

No matter where you are in the admissions journey, winter break doesn’t need to be about doing everything. A few intentional steps can make the rest of the year feel calmer and more manageable.

Focus on:

  • Reflection over pressure
  • Progress over perfection
  • Clarity over speed

And if you’re unsure what should be prioritized at your child’s stage, that’s exactly where support can help.

At School First, we work with families across every age and stage to plan ahead effectively, clarify priorities, strengthen applications, find the perfect-fit school, and so much more. 

If you’d like help making the most of it, just reach out and schedule a free consultation. You don’t have to navigate this alone!