16 weeks of studying can put a toll on the minds of hardworking college students. By the time December rolls around, students brace themselves for two consecutive weeks of no sleep due to final exams. At this point in the semester, students usually exhibit signs of stress and anxiety given the work load. So as you can imagine, by the time the holidays roll around, students are in great need of rest and recovery.

Coming home for the holidays has always been my favorite time of the academic year. Whether it's catching up with relatives you only see once every year, decorating the exterior of your house with lights, cooking holiday meals for family gatherings, or watching all five seasons of Boardwalk Empire in three weeks (amazing show, by the way); the holidays are meant to be a joyous time with the ones who matter most.

As soon as I filled-in the fiftieth scantron circle of my last final exam, I eagerly packed a suitcase, and departed campus on a sunny Thursday afternoon. Since then, I've adapted to a daily routine of sleeping, eating home-cooked meals, binge-watching shows, and hanging out with friends from home. No time constraints, assignment deadlines, or concerns about anticipated grades, makes the holiday season seem effortless, and a time of zen.

It has also been good to take some time to think about what lies ahead in the upcoming semester. For instance, I'll devote time to setting academic goals for myself, as a way of creating a course of action for the upcoming 16 weeks. Its during the break when our minds aren't overloaded with concerns pertaining to course work, and tend to be more receptive to strategic brainstorming about planning ahead. The holiday season allows students to relax and do as they please, while acknowledging the best ways to kick-start the new year.

Two days after Christmas my father and I ventured out to our old stomping grounds to visit family. During our travels that day, I came to the realization that moments shared with one another such as this road-trip exemplifies the truest of gifts that life provides. It's the small things that matter. The relationships we have in life weigh heavier in importance as compared to many of the tangible objects we're often times distracted by.

The highlight of our road-trip was when the clock hit five in the evening and we decided since we hadn't eaten since morning, that we'd pick-up a couple pizzas and two dinner entrees from the best Italian restaurant in the local neighborhood. About twenty minutes after we placed the order by phone, we pick-up the food and neatly placed it in the trunk.

Just as we were about to start the engine and begin our departure, we glanced at each other with a smile. We both were thinking the same thing. So we walked to the trunk of the car, and each enjoyed a slice of steaming hot pizza. Let me tell you, that slice really hit the spot. For the whole ride home my father and I reflected on the adventurous day we had together. At the core of it all, family matters most, and it's the holiday season that allows families the opportunity to share moments such as these.