Staying Connected with Your Student Veteran Community Over the Winter Break
Winter break can be a welcome pause from coursework, but it can also disrupt routines and support systems. For student veterans, time away from campus, whether in person or virtually, may create distance from the community that helped you stay grounded during the semester. Staying connected over the break does not require constant involvement, but maintaining a few intentional points of contact can make returning to campus easier.
Why Staying Connected Matters During Academic Downtime
Campus life provides built-in structure through classes, study groups, and veteran spaces. When that structure pauses, it is common to feel disconnected, even if the break is busy with work or family responsibilities.
Maintaining ties to your student veteran community can:
Reduce feelings of isolation
Provide informal support during stressful periods
Make the transition back to classes smoother
These connections help preserve a sense of belonging that persists even after the semester ends.
1. Keep Communication Simple and Low-Pressure
Staying connected does not require frequent check-ins or scheduled meetings. Small, consistent communication is often enough.
Examples include:
Responding to group messages or emails
Staying active in online veteran student groups
These touchpoints help maintain relationships without adding stress or time pressure during the break.
2. Use Virtual Spaces to Stay Informed
Many student veteran communities stay active online even when campus offices are closed. Virtual spaces can help you stay informed about upcoming events, deadlines, and support opportunities.
Look for:
Email updates from veteran services
Social media groups or discussion boards
Virtual meetups or informal check-ins
Staying informed helps you avoid feeling out of the loop when the next term begins.
3. Offer Support Without Taking on Too Much
Winter break can be a challenging time for some student veterans, especially those balancing financial concerns, family dynamics, or housing transitions. Checking in with others can be meaningful, but it is important to maintain boundaries.
Ways to offer support include:
Listening without trying to fix problems
Sharing resources when appropriate
Encouraging peers to reach out to campus or community support
Connection works best when it is mutual and sustainable.
4. Stay Engaged with Veteran-Focused Resources
Some veteran organizations and support services operate year-round, even when classes are not in session. Remaining connected to these resources can provide continuity.
This may include:
Veteran service organizations
Online career or academic workshops
Community-based veteran groups
Engagement does not need to be formal to be helpful.
5. Prepare for the Return to Campus Together
Staying connected over the break can also support academic readiness. Informal conversations about upcoming classes, registration, or campus changes can reduce uncertainty.
You might:
Share course insights or study tips
Discuss scheduling strategies
Coordinate study or accountability plans for the new term
This shared preparation reinforces a sense of teamwork and shared purpose.
Staying Connected Without Overcommitting
Connection should support rest, not replace it. It is okay to step back while still maintaining awareness and access to your community. Even minimal engagement helps preserve relationships and makes reconnecting easier later.
Winter break is temporary, but the relationships you build as a student veteran can extend well beyond the semester.
Link up with a GGU Student Veteran Ambassador and learn more about how to stay connected.