Ah, the sweet smell of freedom and Christmas is in the air. Classes just ended, the dreaded finals week is over and we're finally on our way home. Christmas break has been our light at the end of the tunnel for a while now, but what is it actually going to be like when we get there? Well, in my experience with Christmas break, this is my best guess. Here's 5 Stages of College Christmas Break:
1. Confusion
We all know this feeling. It's that feeling of going from the hardest, most stressful, gruesome, sleep deprived weeks of our lives to having pretty much nothing whatsoever to do. We get home and feel like we should be doing something, that we have homework to finish, an email to reply to, a few thousand books to read, a paper due--something, anything! We wake up violently early in the morning or in the middle of the night thinking that we're late for class. You know, we'll just be relaxing eating some food when all of a sudden...
But really, it's a stressful time, I tell you! You'll get past it though, promise. Just you hang in there.
2. Absolute bliss
There is light at the end of the tunnel, my friends! Once you can get past the absolute torture of constantly feeling like you have somewhere to be or something to do; you can actually start to do what the break is intended for: relax. If your pre-finals and finals week was as rough as mine it is well-deserved to just sit back and relax. Trust me, not a soul is going to judge you for wrapping up in your favorite pajamas, grabbing a couple (thousand) cats, a good blanket, a cup of whatever floats your boat and binge-watching the crap out of Netflix. Go for it; you deserve it! Once you've accepted this fact you will agree that it is pure bliss to have nothing to do. Bask in it; you'll want it back sooner or later.
OK, maybe don't go that far, but we'll still love you if you do.
3. Chaos
Alright, you've basked in the peace and glory of Christmas break, but that was just the calm before the storm, because now comes; the holidays. The holidays are amazing. It's wonderful to get to see all your family and friends, but it seems like all of this happens at once (I'm not kidding). It's like everyone has decided they can handle being sociable once again and they have came out of hibernation. Next thing you know you're schedule is booked. You're seeing this set of friends this night, then this set of friends the next, then mom's side of the family this night, and dad's side of the family the next; then there's the significant other's family and friends, and before you know it, it is absolute chaos. Not only are you trying to catch up with family and friends, but then comes in the factor of buying gifts for everyone and planning parties if you please. It's crazy, but blissfully crazy at least.
4. Sleep
You've made it through Christmas. You've made it through all the gatherings, parties, gift exchanges, etc. You've ate and gave your heart out. So what do you do now? Well, you sleep. And that's about all you want to and will do for a good solid two weeks.
We will soon be right there with you, Benedict Cumberbatch.
5. Help me, I'm bored
You've relaxed and slept as much as you think you possibly can, and now you have this extreme urge to have at least something productive to do. But what? You've been on break for over a month now so you'll start to get desperate. You'll clean your room inside and out; you'll organize the drawers even! You'll go beyond that. You'll clean your room and clean your parents room. Heck, you'll end up cleaning the whole house. You'll read 30 books, you'll watch every movie you own five times. You may even write a book or make a movie! OK, maybe you won't but you get my point. By the end of it you'll look like this:
Honest truth.
So there you have it, the 5 stages of college Christmas break. And, this can apply to anyone really. But nonetheless, wherever you are, whatever age, and wherever you are in life; enjoy your break. You deserve it!
Merry Christmas!
