It’s no lie that the ends of semesters are difficult. You have finals, you’re stressed, you’re sick of dining hall food, sick of communal bathrooms, maybe even sick of your friends. You’re Facetiming your parents asking to see your dog, making plans to see your high school friends, and planning what your first meal home will be. The idea is that a long break away from college will leave you refreshed and excited for round two.
Most people feel as though they should leave campus feeling accomplished. Maybe you just finished your first semester ever in college, or you only have one more left. Yes you’re tired and cranky, but you feel fulfilled. However, sometimes that isn’t the case.
While the number of opportunities on campus is abundant, it doesn’t always feel that way. Things can get stagnant, especially at a small university. You eat with the same people, study in the same spots, have the same classes, etc. If you’re an upperclassman, you may feel as though you’ve met everyone there is to meet, or have tried everything there is to try. You may not feel satisfied enough by your semester to enjoy going on break. I know that when I’ve had a rough semester, I don’t always feel assured that the distance and time will be enough to make for a good next semester; when I’m on break, consequently I’m simply just worrying about returning, rather than enjoying the break. Therefore, going on break may feel discouraging
Like I’ve said in the past, college isn’t always fun. There are definitely weeks when nothing exciting happens and you feel stuck in a rut. But often times you and your friends will have a good moment, or you’ll start getting interested in a class and things will pick up. For most people, all they need is a little time away from college to bounce right back. But sometimes there’s something else there, more than just a slump.
Just because it’s a break doesn’t mean that it is an end. There is no reason why you should feel as though everything should fall into place after winter break. Or maybe you never really got interested in anything this semester, and expect the break to fix that. Time is an incredible healer, but it doesn’t solve every problem. Sometimes it’s up to you to figure out what’s going wrong in your college experience, and how it needs to be fixed. First, you need to pinpoint what’s causing your unease. Are you eating with the same people every day, are you taking classes that are too easy, what are you doing with your days. Once you figure out what’s causing you to feel anxious about next semester, you can figure out how to combat it.
Second of all, relax. You are at home, and while a month seems like a long time, it can go quickly if you don’t appreciate it enough. Take the time to see your friends from home, spend time with your family, and eat good food. Appreciate the comforts of home without stressing out about returning back to college. I know it’s easier said than done, but worrying about something only does so much.
Once you’ve seen everyone at home and eaten all the good food, make a plan. Halfway through the break is when most people are itching to be back at school, and would look forward to a friendly text. See if any drama productions need an extra hand, or if a group of people are interested in starting a certain club. Or even just make plans to get coffee with someone when you’re both back and settled at school. You never knew who else could appreciate a change. This doesn’t have to be something huge, though. Just do one college-related thing over break, so that it isn’t as though you are completely avoiding going back. Often times I find that the breaks that are the hardest are the ones where I’m completely isolated from anything school related. Although I love the comforts of being home, I always try to Skype a friend from college or send a few emails related to extracurriculars so that I’m still connected. The trek back to campus after a long break can often be jarring, and staying in touch definitely helps.
Once you get back on campus, do not panic. I will say it again: do not panic. If things aren’t flowing yet, it’s because everyone has a new schedule and we’re all just trying to find our flow.
It’s all just trial and error. Put yourself out there, and see how you feel. I know it sounds silly, but I always try and do what makes me happiest. If you need a break from people, take the freedom to get to know new people in your classes. If you’re involved with a club or team and it’s just taking up your time, look for something else to pique your interest. If you need more time to yourself in bed, find little pockets of the day for you time. This is a common problem that many college students have, and no one ever feels completely comfortable at college. College is a weird time, and it’s ok to feel like you’re not totally doing something right. However, you have to first remember that there is no right way to “do” college. Second, while it is a scary thing to put yourself out there, college is the best environment to push your boundaries.
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