Winter break is a wonderful thing when you’re in school, regardless of whether you’re in 5th grade or a senior in college. It’s a time filled with family and holiday cheer, but, best of all, it brings the sweet relief that the school year is almost over. Like I said, winter break is great for all ages, but I’ve started to notice a distinct difference in what I look forward to most about it now that I’m in college and living away from home. My priorities are just not the same anymore.
Staying at home over break
Everyone loves getting a break from classes, exams and homework, but going from a 7-hour school day in high school to sitting on the couch having a 7-hour Netflix binge session every day can get old real fast. The break starts out relaxing, but by the second or third day, it’s kind of like, “Okay…so I cleaned my room, watched every DVD in the house and organized my closet according to color and season… what now?”
In college, it’s a little different. While we’re not used to those long school days anymore, we are used to having insane schedules that literally don’t leave us time to do anything. We go to class, we go to the library, we go to meetings and fundraising events, we go to the library again. It’s a never-ending cycle. Going home and doing absolutely nothing but sleeping and eating could not be a better feeling.
Getting presents
In high school, just like middle and elementary school, getting Christmas (or other holiday) presents is pretty much the best part of winter break. You scope out what you want and start crafting your list way in advance. Clothes, shoes, makeup, concert tickets, new electronics – you name it, we’ve asked for it.
I have found that asking for Christmas presents is probably the last thing I think about now when I come home for break. When I do think about it, my list looks a little something like: soap, razors, candle, broom, raise on monthly allowance, bread.
Getting excited for the holidays
I used to get so excited for holiday music, decorating the house, looking at Christmas lights and making gingerbread houses – the typical holiday must-do’s. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right?! What could possibly be more exciting?
Now I know exactly what could be more exciting. Food. I couldn’t care less if we even put up a tree in our house as long as my parents prepare a freaking feast for me. I’ve been living off of pasta and grilled cheese sandwiches for months, so I want to see some extravagant dressing to go with that turkey and you better not forget the gravy or so help me God…
Seeing your family
It’s always a little tedious going to family gathering after family gathering over the holidays. You see relatives you rarely get to see, and they just love asking you about your life. In high school, it was relatively easy to navigate the game of 20 questions that came with every family dinner, because high school life was easy.
“Yes, I have good grades.”
“Yes, I’m enjoying my extra curriculars.”
“Yes I have a part-time job and a nice boyfriend.”
And my favorite, “Yes, I’m so excited for college!”
Oh, those were the days. These days, it feels like every question they ask is targeted at all my personal failures.
“Grades? I actually haven’t checked in a while…”
“A job? Ummm, yeah, I’ve been looking.”
“A boyfriend? Hahaha no.”
Then the classic question of what you plan to do with your major. “Oh, that? I decided to just marry rich… Bad joke?”
Going back to school
Going back to school was probably the worst thing ever in high school. After you’ve fallen into the trap of sleeping until noon and doing nothing but eating leftovers all day, it’s almost impossible to go back to those early mornings and long school days.
Although coming home from college and getting a nice, relaxing break from everything is really nice, I can honestly say I’ve never been more ready to go back to school than I was my freshman year on the last Sunday of break. Sure I’ll have to go back to classes and the occasional all-nighters in the library, but I haven’t gone out in, like, two weeks! How did I ever live like this?! This was fun, but I’m definitely not coming home again until summer.
