When one door closes, another one opens; when one break ends, a new semester begins. As we wind down from winter break and enter the spring semester, some adjustments must be made. Nothing necessarily drastic needs to be changed, but you need to get used to actually going to school, weird concept I know. There are a few unavoidable things to get back on track.
Waking up at a decent time.
I don’t know about you, but I honestly don’t think I’ve woken up before 12 p.m. this entire break. Whether I’m headed to bed at 9 p.m. or 3 a.m., I waste half of the day in bed, and to call it a waste is a bit hasty. But when it comes time for school to come back, I truly don’t know how I’m able to get up for a 10 a.m., let alone an 8 a.m.. I, as well as many other exhausted college students, celebrated getting at least their full eight hours of sleep instead of catching a nap here and there. Sadly, we will be slipping back into that routine. I guess we all forgot when on break that the real world exists, and that the real world usually requires you to be awake before midday.
You are in charge of yourself again.
Coming home after three months away at school is amazing because you’re given a real break from being an adult. Someone stocks the fridge and makes you food, your mom will feel bad or slightly disgusted about how many dirty clothes you brought back for her to wash, your animal of choice (dog, cat, fish, etc.) is happy to see you again; it’s wonderful. It’s like being back in high school except polishing off a bottle of wine at dinner in more acceptable. Your parents are back taking care of you and you get the break you’ve been working so hard for, but when you head back to campus, you’re hit with the reality that you are an adult again, and you take care of yourself. Remember not to starve and actually stock your fridge and do your laundry so you don’t smell. While these may seem obvious, we may have also forgotten to do them ourselves this winter break.
Remember to get yourself to class.
Going along with waking up at a decent hour and being in charge of yourself, remember to actually get to class. This may seem obvious, but it’s also a reminder I think we all need. Instead of binge-watching "The Office" and stuffing your face all break (me) you actually need to continue your education and do what you’re supposed to do at school: go to class. Whether it be early, midday or night classes, actually go to them. Use your agenda, and work hard until your next well deserved break.
