Although I always find the fall semester to be more fun and exciting than spring, it definitely can wear people down. From the long stretch of weeks without any days off, to the jam-packed schedule of classes, football games, and friends, to the adjustment of Daylight Savings, the fall semester is just plain tiring. The one silver lining for exhausted college students: Thanksgiving break. I’ve outlined some things I do over break that help reorient my headspace and allow me to make the most out of our limited time off.
- Don’t Sleep Too Much
Although it is incredibly tempting, sleeping in until noon every day, when the days are already short, will only end up making you feel more tired and bored. Fall break is a great time to catch up on rest for the first day or two, but making it a habit to sleep in late makes the challenge of going back to school even harder than it already is. Before you know it, the break will fly by, and you’ll feel exactly the same as before it. Allow yourself to relax without just sleeping. Doing quiet but intentional activities is a great way to get to know yourself better, feel connected to yourself, and relax in a way that isn’t just being unconscious.
- Focus On Your Values
With fall break comes the holiday season, which isn’t always fun for some people. It can feel lonely if your family ties are strained or severed. Although this season brings lots of images of family, taking this time off to reconnect with what’s important to you can be so comforting. Spending time with other loved ones, whether that be pets, friends, or neighbors, is a great way to build those feelings of home and safety. I love coming home during fall break and seeing my hometown friends, nostalgic places of my adolescence, and my family. If this season is spent alone due to weather, distance, or tensions, reevaluating what is most important to you and figuring out how to align that with your actions has the potential to make you feel like a brand-new version of yourself.
- Explore
With many people venturing back to their hometowns, it may feel a bit boring to go back to somewhere you spent years of your life in. Coming back home, though, especially as a more mature and grown person (hopefully), can hold endless possibilities for exploration. Going on walks at different trails, gardens, and parks is a fantastic way to connect to your hometown in a way you may not have before. This time spent exploring paves the way for a different and unique appreciation of your roots that you previously didn’t have. Going to different restaurants, cafes, libraries, and locations expands the typical range of places you’ve outgrown. If nothing else, enjoy the way your own hometown has changed, or reminisce on the ways your favorite places have remained frozen in time. If you’re spending your fall break somewhere new, take the time to get to know the town you’re staying in. You may stumble upon a hidden gem of a cafe or find your new favorite book in one of the stores in town. There are so many unseen treasures lurking beneath the surface; don’t be afraid to get out there and uncover them.
Fall break is all about enjoying your time away from school and appreciating the things, people, and places that bring you joy. Making it to this point is no small feat—be proud of all the hard work you’ve put in so far and put yourself as the priority on your small hiatus. Make the most of this fall break to connect with yourself to come back as the most refreshed version of yourself to tackle the last few weeks of the semester and finals. Happy fall break, everyone.