Both finals and Winter Break are right around the corner.  For most Georgia Tech students, this means that focus is at a minimum when it needs to be at a maximum. It’s crunch time as professors try to fit everything in before the end of the semester, but in the midst of schoolwork, dreading finals, and anticipating a break, how can students stay focused?Research completed by the Office of Institutional Research and Planning found that Georgia Tech students who frequently visit the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) have higher GPAs and are more likely to return to Georgia Tech the following year. The study also concluded that those who never visited the CRC represented a significant portion of students who had the lowest grade point averages and, more importantly, did not continue school at Georgia Tech!  While there are a number of influential factors in the academic performance of our students, data analysis indicates “that the difference in retention rates are not due to chance alone – frequency of CRC visits does play a role.”  For many students, finals make or break students’ grades in their classes, and the CRC is an excellent focus booster in approaching such an important time of the semester. Whether students come to play basketball with friends, reach a new personal best on the track, or relax in the pool, the CRC offers an environment that meets the physical, emotional, and social needs of our students that are important to maintain in an academically rigorous atmosphere.No matter what your student’s interests are or style is, there is an involvement opportunity waiting for them at the CRC!  Our facility houses many incredible features such as a 15,000 square-foot fitness center, a climbing wall, two pools, and a multipurpose gym.The G.I.T. FIT program at the CRC offers over 80 non-credit classes that teach life-long skills and improve personal fitness. Classes range from triathlon training and aerobics to yoga to martial arts. Personal training, massage therapy, and the 10,000 steps program are also offered.  The G.I.T. FIT program provides a way to go beyond traditional exercise and learn a fitness routine that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.  Intramurals and sport clubs are another very popular activity around campus.  Friends, residence halls, Greek life, and campus organizations create teams to play exciting games of more than 15 intramural sports including flag football, basketball, and ultimate Frisbee.  Also, more than 35 sport clubs are offered, allowing students to continue playing in competitive sports.The Outdoor Recreation program (ORGT) is another dynamic program that offers outlets for the outdoor enthusiast!  The program plans excursions around Georgia such as caving, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and sea kayaking.  ORGT also allows students to rent out camping equipment for personal camping trips.  This program houses the Leadership Challenge Complex, an interactive, team-building adventure on a custom-designed, three-tower course built specifically for Georgia Tech!As the report concluded, “The Campus Recreation Center is a resource that, when fully utilized, enables the Georgia Tech community, particularly its students, to practice healthy behavior.”  Going beyond the outstanding education that Georgia Tech offers, regular use of the CRC provides many additional benefits that are important to developing a balanced, healthy lifestyle.Encourage your student to utilize the CRC in preparation for their finals– their focus will increase, and the studies show that their GPA’s will appreciate it!