What WCC students actually do for winter break

Sofia Oganezova

Staff Writer

For many WCC students, winter break looks very different depending on their schedules, finances and priorities. While some students dream of traveling, others use the week to rest, work or simply catch up on life.

When asked what they would do if money were not an issue, some WCC students said they would take advantage of the chance to travel.

Selah Schultz, a nursing major, said she would want to go somewhere memorable.

“I would probably go somewhere out of the country, or exotic, like Hawaii,” Schultz said.

Even so, Schultz explained that her actual winter break plans tend to be more practical.

“Winter break is more about productivity for me,” said Schultz.

Luke Rogers, a business administration transfer major, also shared a travel-focused answer to the unlimited budget question but emphasized that winter break is more about rest.

“It should be more about rest, but I don’t think rest is just laying around,” Rogers said. “You can still be resetting while having fun.”

If money were not an issue, Rogers would let chance decide his destination.

“I would spin a globe, and then shoot a dart at it, and wherever the dart landed, that’s where I would go,” Rogers said.

Other students say winter break is more about staying on track than going far.

Diana Postigo, a math and science major, admitted that her plans don’t always match her intentions.

“Sometimes I go in with the lie ‘I’m going to do some homework,’ but it never happens,” Postigo said.

At the same time, she stated that staying home the entire week is not ideal either.

“I need to go somewhere outside of my house for winter break so I don’t feel stuck in time,” Postigo said.

Postigo explained that if she stays at home without going out, time moves slower for her.

Jonah Heim, a general studies major, said he prefers to use the week to stay ahead academically.

“I like to be ahead in all my classes. So, whenever I can, I’m doing school work,” Heim said.

Similarly, Jack Winters, also a general studies major, said he expects to spend most of his break working.

“I’ll probably be working. Most of my friends have a different winter break time,” Winters said.

He added that staying productive helps him avoid falling behind.

“I try to be productive because winter break is about a month or two away from the end of the semester,” Winters said. “It’s easier to stay on track rather than get off track.”

Winter break doesn’t have to mean flights and hotels. Many students choose affordable options like day trips reachable by bus or train, free or low-cost local events, or time spent at nature spots, beaches, or museums with student discounts. Others use the week to work extra shifts, reset their routines, or prepare for the final stretch of the semester.

Whether students are traveling or staying local, the way each student chooses to spend their winter break reflects on the different realities and responsibilities that shape student life at WCC.