It’s that time of year again: Thanksgiving just commenced and the winter holidays are not far behind. Before you know it, those of us who are able will go home and reunite with friends, family, and our familiar surroundings. During breaks, there is so much to do and so little time. We may often come back feeling as though we didn’t do enough, see everyone, or revitalize ourselves. Figuring out how to make the most of your time at home while feeling re-energized from the break is crucial.
Reconnect
Falling out of touch with old friends can be quite common. Take the chance to reach out to people you haven’t seen or talked to in a while and rekindle your bond. As our college careers continue, each time we come home we are slightly different, but you should still hang out with people who make everything feel the same.
Stay Busy
While breaks are an incredible opportunity to just relax, they can also be a good opportunity to check things off of your to-do list! Taking care of any assignments you need to do is a good way to prevent stress in the future. If you don’t have any school work to do, try exploring your interests by picking up a book you’ve heard good things about, catching a movie, or volunteering somewhere; breaks can be a great opportunity to just focus on yourself and do things simply because they matter to you.
Self-Care
Breaks are the golden opportunity to hit the reset button. They are college’s way of letting you sort out your issues, figure out your priorities, and catch up on sleep. Don’t let this time go to waste. Reflect on what’s been making you stressed and deal with it without the pressure of deadlines and going out. Make sure that you’re prioritizing your health over anything else. For me, the alone time provided by breaks is invaluable and lets me get the energy I need to handle my social life in the best way possible once I go back to school.
Going home is an inevitable (and generally welcome) break from life in college. Remember to make the most out of your breaks by reconnecting with friends and family, spending your time productively, and focussing on self-care. Breaks are an essential way to recharge from school, and using this time effectively is just as important as prioritizing your time on campus. So try and make your upcoming winter break count!
COVER PHOTO: Lily Heller
About Ori Tsameret
A sophomore from Portland, Ori has triple citizenship and speaks fluent Hebrew. He enjoys getting involved with the New Orleans community with his political economics major.
A sophomore from Portland, Ori has triple citizenship and speaks fluent Hebrew. He enjoys getting involved with the New Orleans community with his political economics major.
