College life is very exciting and very exhausting. Spending every hour of the day around your friends is definitely a perk and a curse, and if you have down time, that probably means you're forgetting about some assignment that is due in the next hour or so. Exams, quizzes, essays, reading assignments, and assessments are never ending, and if you have time to watch one (or twelve) episodes on Netflix, you probably should be studying. Yes, college is fun, but breaks from college are even better, especially Winter Break.

Long weekends are usually opportunities to catch up on that paper you have been putting off for the last three weeks that is due the day you come back, and Thanksgiving Break is just a glimpse of freedom that is torture when you realize you have to return to school just for finals. But Winter Break, it's different. A whole month completely school-free, and it just so happens to be the most wonderful time of the year too. Winter Break makes me so happy that I have had a countdown going since move in day, and here is why.

Over other breaks, there is always an assignment or studying that can be done before you return to school, and this is a true struggle. But Winter Break, you are officially done with all of your classes for the semester, and that, my friends, is a great feeling. So now you have time to spend time with family, catch up with friends, and take a nap.

2. Christmas music is now acceptable 24/7.

I love Christmas music, but only after Thanksgiving! Christmas is my favorite time of year, but if it is celebrated too early, it looses what makes it special by the time Christmas actually roles around. So yes, I am a bit of an angry elf when radiostations begin playing Christmas music in November, but when December 1st roles around turn it on and turn it up!

3. And, of course, everyone knows that the best Christmas music is sung by the amazing Michael Bublé.

This year is the fifth annual Michael Bublé Christmas Special on NBC and you can bet this girl will be watching it every time it airs. But don’t worry. I have the CD and I have purchased it on iTunes, so I can hear it even when it is not on the TV.

4. A close second to Christmas music is Christmas lights!

I could drive around for hours just looking at all the Christmas lights and decorations around town. Homes with lights strung from rooftops down to the bushes, inflatable snowmen, reindeer, and Christmas trees in living rooms that can be seen from the windows, all fill me with joy.

5. Even though the stress of school work has been removed, now begins the stresses of finding the perfect presents for everyone on my list.

I love getting people gifts, but there are always those people on the list who you just never know what to get them! And to me, that is one of the most stressful feelings ever! But somehow all the shopping gets done, wrapped, delivered, and hopefully enjoyed.

6. But the best thing of all is being home.

This year is the first time I have actually had to “come home” for Christmas, and I was so excited. After a week of being locked up in your dorm, cramming for finals, you finally get to go home. And nothing says welcome home better than getting to see my family, friends, my dog, eating home cooked meals, and getting to sleep in my own bed. Celebrating the Christmas story and spending time surrounded by the ones you love, defines the best part of winter break for me.