Winter break is a great time for all college students. As it comes around the corner, students could not be more excited to get through finals and head home for anywhere from two weeks to a whole month. However, winter break becomes a roller coaster of emotions, and all college students can relate. By the last week, all students want is to be back on campus, at their home away from home, reunited with their friends once again.
Phase one:
The feeling of packing up your stuff and heading home for an extremely long break is exhilarating. There is nothing better than opening the door to the house you’ve been away from for months to be welcomed by a dog, a cat, a sibling, or exuberant parents. It is freeing to be able to open up a fridge that contains food you won’t get sick from. And the fact that there’s no homework or exams gives you freedom like no other. Knowing you will be able to relax and enjoy time spent with family and friends is so rewarding. Being home for Christmas puts a great smile on college students faces. The feeling of being home after having to take care of yourself for almost four months…well, it’s one of the best feelings in the world.
Phase Two: You've got a friend in me
The reunions with high school friends may be one of the most exciting parts about break. After not seeing each other for four months, you got a lot of catching up to do. It’s nice to just go grab a cup of coffee or stop for lunch and chat about all the crazy adventures that you’ve had while away. Although you didn't have those adventures together, you and your friends appreciate the time and company. You get to spend some time together before you set out again for another semester apart and make lasting memories. What’s a winter break without a little adventure with some old friends?
Phase Three: New year, new me
As the new year rolls around, your focus can be on festivities and New Year’s resolutions! With the new year, there is an opportunity for change and growth. You can dive right into keeping up with the resolutions you “guarantee” to continue with throughout the year. With this on your mind, you’ll stay distracted from the lurking pain of missing your friends that increases with each day. Your “new year, new me” phase will probably fade out within a couple days, but you’re still enjoying home and being able to relax.
Phase Four: Keep calm and carry on
At this point, you only have one to two weeks before break ends and well, you’re starting to become restless. You miss your friends and all your good times together, and relaxing has become a bit exhausting to say the least. However, you’re still sane and handling time at home well. You still have the opportunity to travel around and visit those relatives and friends that you haven’t seen in ages. You can still go ice skating with your little brother and sister. And you can cozy up with a cup of hot cocoa and talk about life with your parents. Break is still good and you’re staying calm in the midst of the growing impatience/excitement inside of you.
Phase Five: Literally can't
There’s a breaking point over vacation that everyone reaches. When does this phase occur? Well, it’s different for everyone. You just can’t take it anymore. You appreciate being home, but having every single day to relax is just getting old. You’re ready to get back to the hustle and bustle of college, no matter how exhausting it might be. You’re ready to go on late night excursions with friends, play ping pong in the lounge, and have your stomach hurt from laughing so hard. You’re ready to get in the routine of homework, study groups, and work. You want that responsibility back, to take care of yourself and be on your own. You have been through every possible boredom-buster known to man. There’s nothing left to keep you occupied and the longing for your friends has become more painful. You cannot wait to step foot on campus once again. The wait has become unbearable.
Phase Six: See you again
And then comes the day of reunion, the day you have been waiting for since you packed your stuff in the car. You run in and hug your friends with extensive excitement. You plop onto your dorm bed taking in all the decorations you missed so dearly. You walk about campus with a new smile on your face, one that’s full of hope and preparation. You’re ready to get back at it. Ready to start another semester full of adventures and memories. Your heart is at ease. It’s never felt so good to be back at school. Spring semester, here we come!
Phase Seven: Worth it
Although Phase Six is usually the last phase for everyone, we can’t forget about Phase Seven. Although we're all itching to get back on campus, we need to remember to be appreciative for the break that we had. As school work increases and classes get harder, we are going to want to be back home again with those endless days of relaxation. Breaks are meant for our benefit and we must remember that being three to four weeks away from friends, although painful, was worth it. Bonds grew stronger and we were able to take a breather. Time spent with family is memorable and spending the holidays with them could not have been more of a blessing. The wait was worth it. Now, it’s time to get back to work!
Happy Winter Break everyone, don’t take it for granted!
