After a long Fall semester at college, Winter break usually saves many college students from absolutely losing it. Break goes from a two week vacation from all high school activities to an entire month off of college. Going from a short, fast break to a month off makes you realize how little there actually is to do. I can't pretend that a lot of the break was spent watching Netflix or napping, but there were without a doubt some important lessons I learned throughout the course of this break.
Let's keep it real... break can get really lonely. You are being taken out of the environment you have become accustomed to and thrown back into the life you once knew can be overwhelming. One of the toughest things about break, however, is leaving all the amazing people you have grown to love. Living back at home is completely different from living in a dorm. The dorm is full of people who are always up for a random adventure or food run and, odds are, your parents won't always be super psyched for a food run at two in the morning. However, the great thing about friends is that even when you are not in the same area, town, or even state as them, they are always just a phone call or text away.
Even though being away from friends is tough, at home you are with your first ever friends ... your family! Being away at college means not nearly as much family time as you had in high school. Making the few weeks home count and catching up with the family can be super refreshing. Odds are they missed you just as much as you missed them.
Over break, I quickly discovered that it can be really nice getting out of town for a while. Traveling to a new place with awesome people can make break even more fun than you could ever imagine. There are so many interesting things and places to explore, and every day holds something new to find and learn, it is just a matter or getting out there. Granted, when it is freezing outside snuggling up and watching movies may sound ideal, but some times doing something new and exciting will be way more memorable.
On the flip side, It is okay to spend some time alone too. Sometimes what we need most is to just sit back and relax. Watching a movie or listening to your favorite music is the perfect way to decompress. You will miss all the down time when you have to start class again.
All in all, you will get as much out of Winter break as you put in. The month-long break was everything from fulfilling to exhausting. However, I never wanted it to come to an end.
