Wednesday Wisdom: Prep, Plan & Pause over the break

The holiday break is a perfect opportunity for students and their supporters to prep, plan, and pause. A few mindful steps now can help students feel more confident and make the next semester feel less hectic.

Pause: Taking a Break Over the Holidays

• For Students:
  • Unplug from schoolwork for a little while to give your mind a rest.
  • Have some screen-free time each day (even 30–60 minutes) to recharge and reset.
  • Catch up on much-needed rest—sleep is essential for focus, memory, and overall well-being.
  • Do something enjoyable together with a parent, sibling, or friend—something fun, relaxing, or even nostalgic. Shared activities can help students reconnect with themselves and the people who support them outside of academics.
• For Supporters:
  • Encourage students to rest and take breaks without guilt—remember, sleep debt can accumulate over the semester.
  • Model self-care yourself—show your student the value of balance.

Planful Connecting: Sharing and Supporting

• For Students:
  • Share highlights and challenges from the semester with a parent or supporter.
  • Discuss what skills or habits you hope to grow next semester, like time management, study strategies, or balancing school and life—not just grades. Keep it casual, like over a cup of tea.
  • Remember that you only need to share what you want to!
• For Supporters:
  • Ask open-ended questions about what went well, what was challenging, and what skills or habits the student wants to develop.
  • Offer encouragement and support rather than solutions—students benefit from guidance plus autonomy.

Prep: Setting Up for a Less Hectic Semester

• For Students:
  • Outline a rough schedule for January classes or assignments to know what’s ahead.
  • Get scholarship applications ready—the break is a perfect time since other deadlines are light.
  • Explore skills you want to develop, such as research, writing, or time management, to make next semester easier and more effective. Check out our webinars below or our online courses!
  • Organize your study space or materials—small prep now reduces stress later.
• For Supporters:
  • Encourage students to spend small amounts of time on prep or skill-building—but only if they want to, without pressure.

Resources

Speaking of meaningful ways to pause and recharge... I recently met with Mikhailla Matthias, founder of I Deserve, to learn more about her business and I wanted to share it with you all! I Deserve creates sustainable self-care gift boxes so you can feel good about sending a little something to the people you care about. These are great for friends, family, colleagues, and corporate gifting! Check them out at the links below!

Discover gifts that feel good and do good!

I Deserve is a Toronto-based, woman-owned wellness gifting company offering thoughtful, sustainable self-care boxes designed to help busy people manage stress, reduce anxiety, and beat burnout. Each box is filled with products from small Canadian businesses, making it a meaningful way to support wellness while shopping local.

The Holiday Collection is now live - perfect for parents, students, colleagues, and anyone who could use a moment to breathe. Explore the full collection here: https://ideservegifting.ca/​

We’re also running our annual Donation Drive to support individuals in need of mental health resources. Join us in making a meaningful impact this season: https://gofund.me/ac27060ff​

ChooseYourUni News

The holidays are a great time to rest and recharge—but also to get a head start on next semester. Don’t miss our upcoming webinars packed with strategies for scholarships, choosing the right program, and starting university with confidence. Seats are limited, so save your spot today!

• Dec 10, 22, Jan 2, 21:How to Win Scholarships for University in Canada​
  Master the insider strategies that can help you win scholarships and reduce the financial stress of university.
• Dec 11, 23:The Right Fit: How to Choose Your Program and University with Confidence​
  Find the program and university that truly match your strengths and goals—and make your decision with confidence.
• Dec 15, 30:The Confident Start: A University Prep Workshop for Students and Supporters​
  Recharge, plan, and enter the semester ready to tackle university with confidence and clarity.