How Current High School Seniors Can Make the Most of Thanksgiving Break

As Thanksgiving ushers in the holiday season, it also ushers in the final push in the college application season for seniors. Whether students have three days or a week off of school, it is important to plan ahead so they can enjoy time with family and friends while also tackling their application checklist. If you’re unsure of how to help your student make the most of their Thanksgiving break, here are five things to consider:

1. Prioritize University of California Applications

The deadline for the University of California schools is November 30th, so if your student is applying to one of the UC schools, Thanksgiving break is their last week to polish, edit, and finalize their application. The UC application can be intimidating, as it provides space to include more activities, requires students to self-report their grades, and includes four Personal Insight Questions (PIQ) rather than a personal essay with supplements. If your student has not yet completed the activities list or the essays, they should prioritize these items at the beginning of their break to ensure that they have ample time to revise and request feedback from a friend or family member. If you are helping your student polish off these components of their application on a time crunch, check out Command Education’s guide to the UC Activities List and PIQs.

When they have completed all of the components of the application, they should double and triple check their application for accuracy. Because all of the information on the UC application is self-reported, it is imperative that the information is correct and precise. Students should reserve dedicated time to meticulously review all of their materials and should rely on the help of a parent or family member to double check their materials for errors.?

2. Polish the Personal Statement

The personal statement tends to be the first piece of writing that students complete on the Common App, so many students have a draft (whether complete or partial) by the time Thanksgiving break rolls around. The additional time off of school offers a prime opportunity for students to finish writing or polish the draft they have already written. In addition, the influx of family and friends gathering for the holiday can provide students with a fresh set of eyes to look over their essay. Keep in mind that an overabundance of feedback can be overwhelming and unproductive, so students should be selective about who they ask to read their work. An older sibling or cousin returning from college for the holiday could be the perfect editor for a student’s essay, as they recently went through the application process, and a student’s friends and siblings know them best. If the student needs content edits, it can be helpful to read their essay out loud to their trusted reviewer. The process of reading aloud can help both student and editor assess the flow of their essay, ensure that the writing captures their voice, and identify extraneous detail or awkward wording. As you help your student complete their personal statement, consider Command Education’s list of do’s and don'ts for the personal statement!

3. Keep Working on Applications—Even if Your Student is Confident in Their ED/EA Applications!

If your student has applied to their top school early action or early decision, it may be tempting to put off completing the rest of their regular applications. However, doing so could leave your student scrambling when decisions are sent out in mid-December to complete their remaining applications before January 1. Working to complete their regular decision applications over Thanksgiving will ensure that your student is prepared in the case that they are rejected or deferred. If they are accepted, they can choose not to submit their other applications, but it’s always best to be prepared!?

4. Work on Supplemental Essays

Students applying to ten or more schools are likely to have a handful of supplemental essays to write. These supplemental essays can often be more work than they may initially seem, and waiting to work on them in December amidst final exams and the looming January deadlines will only make them more difficult to complete. Thanksgiving break allows students time off from school to devote their attention and energy to writing their essays. However, completing them during the break requires detailed planning and laying out specific times for working on their remaining essays. First, the student should assess the number of essays they intend to complete during the holiday break. Depending on the applications the student has yet to complete, it may not be feasible to write them all over Thanksgiving week—setting a reasonable and attainable goal for their time is essential. Then, the student should identify the days and times they plan to write, scheduling a specific essay for each of those time slots. Encourage your student to prioritize the most challenging first, giving themselves more time to complete those essays and edit as needed. Finally, make sure that your student has identified a quiet space conducive to focus where they will work on their essays. With family and friends in town and lots of activity around the house over the holiday week, being intentional about their workspace is essential to help students limit distraction and intrusion as they write.

5. Take Time to Rest

The college application process can be stressful and overwhelming for both students and families. While the holiday affords students time to work on their applications, it also gives them a much-needed opportunity to rest. When scheduling times to work on supplemental essays and polish personal statements, be sure to allocate time for your student to do what is restful to them, whether seeing a movie, going for a walk, or meeting up with friends. Studies show that doing restful activities can increase learning, creativity, and motivation. So, not only will restful breaks help your student relax and unwind, but they will also boost your student’s productivity during allotted work times.

Have a joyous (and productive!) Thanksgiving holiday!