Finals are over, the holiday season is in and the long winter break awaits! The holidays are marked as a time of enjoying wonderful food, expressing gratitude, and being surrounded by loved ones. But everything won’t be fun and games. Here are some tips to help you deal with awkward situations that might come up!
Situation: Embarrassing QuestionsÂ
We all know it is bound to happen. The aunt and uncle, the grandparents, the cousins and parents are all DYING to ask you a multitude of questions: “So, how’s college? Do you like your classes? Are you keeping up with your grades? What are your friends like? Are you behaving?” and of course, the dreaded: “How’s your love life going?” Andrew ’15 already predicts what will happen upon returning home: “My grandma and my two aunts will be very interested in my romantic encounters, so that’ll be interesting.”
How to deal: Shrug it off. The best way to tackle this awkward situation –especially if you aren’t comfortable enough with the person asking- is to pretend like it isn’t a big deal. The more worked-up you get over it, the more your family will suspect something is up and they’ll keep endlessly pestering you. Ini, ’15 provides perfect advice: “Question deflection is key for uncomfortable situations, but it’s usually good to keep your family (at least moderately) informed.”
Situation: Giving Advice
Chances are that, if you are in a dinner party with high schoolers, their parents are bound to bombard you with question on the application process, the SAT vs. the ACT, what their kids can do to guarantee acceptance, etc. While at first you may feel more than happy to assist, answering the same type of question over and over again can get tedious.
How to deal: Suggest politely that you would prefer to answer their questions in an email. That way, they can refer back to it anytime so they don’t have to ask you twice, it gives you more time to respond, and you can simply copy/paste it to others who are seeking similar advice.
Situation: The Awkward High School Classmate
If you are planning to visit your high school or old friends, you are bound to run into classmates you might not particularly feel fond towards. Most people are back home for winter break, so face it, an awkward run-in with someone from high school may be inevitable.
How to deal: Resist the temptation to ignore them. Say hi, but don’t feel like you have to get into a long conversation. Keep it short and sweet while maintaining politeness. This will make it clear that you have no intent on holding any grudges – and show how much you’ve matured in college!
Situation: Saying Goodbye
Goodbyes are typically an uncomfortable situation. Leaving friends and family behind is never easy, and it seems that from here on out, there’s always going to have to be a “goodbye.” You have to comfort your sobbing mother, your concerned father, tearful siblings and friends, while also seeking comfort yourself.
How to deal: Be strong, and give your family and friends a tight hug, letting them know you love them and care for them, but remember that –as cheesy as this may sound- you are opening the doors to a fantastic future and the distance is something you just have to deal with; it’s a part of life. It will all be worth it in the end. Just reassure your family that it will all be okay and you’ll be seeing them the next break!