With finals wrapping up, students at our commuter campus are looking at winter break as a chance to rest and reset from the hectic semester. Since many students already live at home, their winter break plans look a little different, focusing more on family time, work opportunities, and personal routines.

Travel is still on some students’ minds, though usually in the form of short trips or visits to relatives. Nursing student Erin Vanmeter shared that she’s excited to get away for a few days on a trip to Chicago over the break. “It’s not too far, but it’s nice to get away for a few days,” she said. Others mentioned road trips, weekend getaways, or simply enjoying local holiday events without worrying about homework.

A large portion of students plan to work through much of the break. Retail positions, restaurant shifts, and childcare jobs are especially common, and many students pick up extra hours at jobs they already have. Macy Davidson is one of them. “Since I live at home, I can work more hours over break,” she said.

For many, winter break is also a time to catch up on rest and personal projects. Students say they’re excited for more relaxed mornings, spending time with friends, or getting back to hobbies they miss during busy school weeks. “I just want a little downtime,” said Allison Delgado. “Winter break is my chance to breathe.”

A few students plan to use the break to get ahead academically whether preparing for spring classes, organizing their schedules, or starting applications for jobs and internships. No matter how they spend it, winter break gives commuter students a chance to recharge and step into the new semester with a fresh mindset.