What to Do Over Winter Break: A Smart College Planning Checklist for Seniors

Dec 1

Senior year flies by and by the time winter break hits, many students are feeling both relieved and overwhelmed.

Whether your teen is still finishing applications or has already hit submit, this quieter stretch is a valuable opportunity to regroup, stay organized, and take care of a few key steps before the spring semester begins.

At Wagner Prep, we guide families through this process every day. Here’s how seniors can use winter break to stay on track, reduce stress, and keep their momentum going into the new year.

1. Track Decisions and Next Steps

Winter break is a great moment for seniors to get organized before decisions begin to roll in. Between Early Action results, Regular Decision deadlines, scholarship notifications, and multiple college portals, it can quickly become overwhelming for families to manage everything in one place.

To simplify this process, we created the Wagner Prep Decision Tracker, a customizable tool that helps students keep clear records of:

Admission decisions and release dates
Merit scholarships and financial aid offers
Portal login information
Required next steps for admitted, deferred, or waitlisted schools
Notes on appeals, updates, and housing deposits

Make a copy of the “College Admissions Tracker” here.

Having everything organized early makes January and February far less stressful, especially as emails and portal updates begin to arrive.

It’s a simple system that brings order to a complicated stage of the college process.

2. Refocus on Academics

Colleges still see senior-year grades, and they matter, especially for students who were deferred or are still waiting on decisions. A strong spring semester can also impact scholarship offers and placement once on campus.

Over break, students can:

Reflect on fall performance and make a game plan for improvement
Catch up on missing assignments or long-term projects
Set goals for spring and reestablish good habits
Prepare early for January midterms

If your student is taking AP courses, winter break is a great time to get ahead. AP exams in May can earn college credit for students who score a 3, 4, or 5. This can reduce future tuition costs and even shorten time to graduation.

We offer one-on-one AP tutoring to help students stay on track, strengthen study habits, and boost GPA — while also positioning them to capture valuable college credit through AP success.

3. Send a Midyear Update (If Needed)

For students applying to highly selective schools, those who were deferred in Early Action or Early Decision, a midyear update or Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) can strengthen their file and show continued progress.

A thoughtful update might include:

Fall semester grades (sent by your school counselor)
New accomplishments, awards, or leadership roles
A short note reaffirming interest in the school

Students should typically submit midyear updates in mid- to late January, once fall grades are finalized but before final decisions are made.

Our advising team can help determine whether a midyear update is appropriate and how to craft one strategically.

4. Organize Financial Aid Documents

If your family plans to apply for need-based aid, winter break is the perfect time to get organized.

What to do:

Gather income and tax documents for both student and parents
Check the status of your FAFSA and CSS Profile if required. The application is typically due between early January and March 31 for regular decision applicants.
Make a list of each college’s financial aid deadlines
Contact the financial aid office if you’re unsure about forms or next steps

A little organization now will make financial aid season in the spring much less stressful.

5. Reconnect, Celebrate, and Dream About What Comes Next

Winter break offers a rare pause in an otherwise busy senior year and is a wonderful opportunity for families to simply enjoy time together. As the college process moves into its final stages, it can be grounding and meaningful to shift the focus away from deadlines and toward the moments that matter.

Consider creating a list of things you want to do together before your student leaves for college. It could be a favorite restaurant you want to visit again, a hike you’ve talked about taking, a movie to watch, a family tradition to revisit, or a skill you want to teach them before they’re on their own. These small, intentional experiences help anchor the year in connection rather than stress.

This is a busy and emotional season, but making space for joy and reflection now helps students head into the next chapter feeling supported, celebrated, and excited for what’s ahead.

Ready to Finish Senior Year Strong?

At Wagner Prep, we support students through every phase of the college admissions process, from essays and test prep to final deadlines and decisions.

We offer: