Fall semester has come and gone. The weather is getting colder and finals made us all go slightly insane. It's once again time to pack up your life and head home for winter break.
Unlike high school, when you live away from home at college, sometimes going home for an extended break can be bittersweet. Unlike Thanksgiving, when you're home for a few days and go back to school with some awesome leftovers, winter break is an entire month. That is one whole month under the same roof as the people that have been nagging you via text message, phone call and Facebook all semester – your parents.
Since we're all in the same boat here, loving our parents but not wanting to be in "their house" all over again, here are a few tips to help you surviving break at home:
Hang out with your friends as much as possible.
While I'm sure your liver would love a break from the semester of extreme studying (drinking) you've had, you of course miss your friends from home. Take this time during break to reunite and catch up on all of the juicy stories that were too long to send over text.
Pick your battles.
Just like before you left, you and your parents are going to fight. You're not home for long and you don't wanna spend the entire month arguing. Pick and choose what you're going to make into a full-blown screaming match and what you're willing to let slide. It'll be best for both sides, trust me.
Help around the house.
I'm sure like every other college student, during your entire three-month semester at school you washed maybe two dishes and one T-shirt. While you're home, you can stop watching Netflix for an hour or two and help Mom around the house. A quick vacuum and dusting won't hurt.
Team up with your siblings.
Arguing with your siblings probably happens more often than not. But if can put aside your differences for one month of winter break, you will have your parents outnumbered. Stay on good terms with your brothers and sisters and show your parents how well you've matured at your time at school. Then when they're not looking, you can pull your sisters hair. If you're an only child, I'm sorry.
Actually talk to your parents.
We all know parents can sometimes be more into your business than we want them to be. But if mom wants to know about your new boyfriend, tell her. If dad is curious about the parties at school (go dad!) then tell him. Parents obviously want to live vicariously through us (since they're so old and stuff) so go ahead and let them!
For most of us, spending winter break home might not be ideal. But when you think about it, at least you'll actually have a hot dinner every night and your clothes won't sit on your bedroom floor for months. And when all else fails, spring semester is right around the corner.
