<p>There are many research programs during summer, but there are not many during winter. What do competitive PhD applicants do during winter? Do they stay in their college to do research as a result of lack of opportunities? The students in my college basically go back to their home, and only a few stays in college for college-affiliated programs or athletic programs. Only thing I could come up with is GRE prep...</p>
<p>Really? Vacation sounds good to me. Burning out is never a good choice.</p>
<p>I’m actually planing to go back to my country during winter break to receive affordable medical treatments, which are generally far more costly here than buying a plane ticket to my country. But it doesn’t take long, and it’s not necessary every year. If there is some way for studious students to spend the break effectively for their career, I want to follow their way. But I also like vacation, so I will follow your advice if there’s not any other recommendation. </p>
<p>To be honest, there’s not a lot to do over winter break because a lot of universities shut down, at least during the Christmas/New Year’s period. Most students either go home and take a break or continue with whatever they do during the school year (research, job, whatever) for the beginning or end part of the break before Christmas or after New Year’s when the university is still open. If you’re planning on taking the GRE soon after, you could do GRE prep, but if you’re not planning on taking the GRE until much later, there’s no real point in prepping for it.</p>
<p>I mean, there’s nothing really special that “studious” students do. They usually take a break, travel, see their families, etc. I definitely wouldn’t recommend starting anything new. If anything you could continue your school year activities into the break, but most people will become scarce around the holidays.</p>
<p>I see. Even though winter break lasts for a month, it must be too short to do new research or anything new. I got a concrete vision of how students spend their winter break from your post. </p>
<p>All my winter breaks I did nothing that was related to school or graduate school prep. Honestly there is not much you can do during winter break because 1) Schools are out due to the holidays and 2) 1 month is very little for a research or intern experiences. Just relax and chill down. Studying for the GRE might not be a bad idea. </p>
<p>Thanks for telling me your experience. I think I can go back to my country for winter, since I have nothing to do particularly and instead stay in this country for summer due to research programs/internships. </p>
<p>Use the time wisely. Buy and read a book about mindfulness, Take a yoga class so that you know how to treat yourself and find physical and mental strength and calmness. Tap into your creative side. Do something completely different that has nothing to do with career prep. Take a break from the internet. Trust in yourself.</p>
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<p>I have taken a yoga class in my high school, and I think that was a great experience for me. I want to take a yoga class in college, too, if the schedule will match. I actually have a quite creative hobby which is totally unrelated to my career, and it is to solve math questions requiring creative and critical thinking. This activity keeps my brain creative and distinguishes me from other students who are going to major in biology. But as you mentioned, physical and mental calmness are, I believe, the most necessary things for me now. Even though I will have to work hard during summer, I hope I can be relaxed like that during winter by engaging in such physical or mental activities. Thanks for your recommendations. </p>
<p>One of the things successful students learn early is that you need to take breaks to relax and recharge your energy. So winter break is really just about taking a break - taking it easy, spending time with your family and celebrating any winter holidays your culture might have. Even in graduate school and research careers many (most?) grad students and professors take a few weeks “off” at the winter break to relax. I like yoga but you don’t need to do anything special. Curling up with a good book and spending time with family is enough.</p>
<p>What I do is kind of "relax"while doing research and think of what I’m interested and future plans. And just think about stuffs that i wasn’t able to during the busy academic year</p>