Winter Break is so close, and we’re all anxious with anticipation to escape the confines of our campus. Fed up with final papers, presentations and exams, we Gators are just about ready for this semester to come to a close. Here are just a couple of things we’re most looking forward to about being home this holiday season.
1. Food that doesn’t require multi-step microwave instructions
After weeks of food that’s frozen, dehydrated, canned and every form of preserved, nothing tastes as good as a home-cooked meal. Even meals that you might’ve groaned and complained about as a kid evoke a certain nostalgia and appreciation as a college student returning home. Make sure to enjoy every meal because it’ll be back to microwavable insta-meals in what’ll feel like the blink of an eye.
2. Catching up on life with friends from high school
It’s always so much fun to see how your friends’ lives have changed direction over time and to reminisce on how different everyone was back in high school. Despite all of the changes that may take a little getting used to, enjoy slipping back into that same easy banter that you had back in high school, and gossiping about who ended up where.
3. Guilt-free Netflix binging
Sure, you did this at school anyways… but now you can get through seasons of shows without your nagging conscience ruining the fun. You can click through that “Are you still watching?” message with no guilt, and finally catch up on those shows that left you feeling in the dark during your friends’ animated discussions.
4. Sleeping in your own bed
For dorm dwellers especially, sleeping in your own bed is a comfort often missed during the semester. Plopping back into your own, non-polyester, non-bunked, non-creaky mattress is like heaven. Even better is the fact that you can wake up at your leisure without an alarm blaring at 7 a.m. for that lab you had in the fall.
5. Catching up on the changes in your hometown
Especially for out-of-state collegiettes who don’t get to go home very often, a lot can happen between summer and Winter Break. From the smaller changes (like holiday lights, billboards and highway construction) to the larger ones (like new neighbors or businesses closing down or new ones opening up), Winter Break lets you get back in the loop with the beat of your hometown.
6. A fully stocked fridge
No more wondering how to make a meal out of leftover mac ‘n’ cheese, peanut butter and granola bars on those weeks you didn’t get around to grocery shopping. Coming home means coming back to an actual pantry and full-size fridge stocked with all of your favorite snacks and treats. The holiday season means an especially abundant supply of good food at home.
7. One word: presents
Enough said.
8. Spending time with your family
After weeks, or even months, of separation and after an especially stressful finals week, nothing beats coming back to the warm embrace of your family. Even after dealing with some of the initial annoying questions, spending time catching up with the original baes is always time well spent.
Enjoy your Winter Break, and happy holidays!