4 Productive Moves College Students Can Make During Spring Break

Spring break has been a long-standing tradition for college students, giving them a week off from their classes typically some time between February and April.

You might think of hanging out with friends, hitting the beach, embarking on Carribbean cruises, and other fun-filed activities that are commonly reserved for spring break. But did you know that there are some quick and easy moves you can make over this break while still being able to enjoy some of your time away from the books?

1. Plan for the home stretch of the spring semester.

Spring break often falls in the middle – or slightly toward the end – of the spring semester, unless your school is on quarters or a different schedule. As such, it's wise to plan for the rest of the term so you can finish on a high note.

Consider:

- Starting or making headway on term papers, projects, and other assignments due at the end of the semester
- Reviewing previous assignments, quizzes, and exams you've taken this semester to improve for future ones in your courses
- Catching up on reading and studying
- Identifying and spending some time on any foreseeable challenges you may see coming up in your schoolwork
- Reviewing your current grades to see where you need improvement and what percentage of your grades you still have a chance to increase through upcoming assignments and exams
- Considering where you'll stand in terms of credit hours after the spring semester

2. Start looking ahead to the summer and fall.

The summer will be here before we know it, and the fall won't show up too much later after that, either.

Many college students are required to start registering for their summer and fall classes very soon. So, take a good look at the course catalog, and start making some mental notes as far as which classes you'll need to take – and any electives you'll be able to choose from.

Perhaps you might be interested in gaining some real-world experience over the summer if you don't have lots of work history on your resume yet. Check out what opportunities are out there, and start submitting applications. Just be sure to check with your advisor to ensure you can get some type of course credit for this work experience, especially if you find an unpaid opportunity.

3. See what's out there on the job market in your desired field.

While you might not be graduating any time soon, or you're already working in a field you like but want to advance your career by earning a higher degree, a quick job search can never hurt.

Explore some job sites like Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, or LinkedIn to at least get a glimpse into what kinds of opportunities are currently available. Would you love to live and work in New York City, Seattle, or Honolulu? Search within these specific geographic areas to determine if your dream job in your dream city actually exists. Of course, don't forget to look at the salaries to see how much you'd be worth in a particular line of work.

Plus, be sure to take a few minutes to update your resume. If you've developed new skills or have a new professional reference at your disposal, be sure to add this information.

4. Research ways through which you can save money.

Several money-saving options are available for college students of all ages. The key is to research them and find the best ones for your circumstances.

Scholarships are a fantastic option for reducing your tuition bills. Check out our grants and scholarships page.

The IRS also offers a handful of tax benefits for those pursuing higher education. Read our guide to tax breaks for college students to learn more.

If you're a first-time college student, or even if you've been working on your degree for some time, give this list of money moves a read for ways to both save money and earn a little income when you're not studying.

Share Your Experience

What are your favorite things to do over spring break? Share them in a comment below.