Living independently from our parents is a change most of us made when deciding to go to college. Not only did we decide to reside independently, but we also decided to live independently. We don’t ask if we can go out on the weekends and we’re not told to clean our rooms before we can see our friends. Because of this, winter break brings a change of perspective for many. For me, coming home means watching a lot of movies with the family in the living room and enjoying small get-togethers with old friends from high school. Your friends at school become not only your close friends, but also your family away from home. I find myself not knowing what to do without them because they’re in my daily routine at school. Although it is different and sometimes a bit boring, I have found that there is still a lot to be done over winter break. I’m not as close with all my friends from high school anymore but there’s still a handful that I will always maintain a close relationship with. With that being said, being home for part of break is the perfect time to rekindle relationships with old friends. We shouldn’t forget about the people in our lives just because we don’t see them as often as others. Once the laughing emerges and the memories start flowing, you’ll be glad that you had to chance to catch back up with a long lost friend. To your surprise, it might even be a little bittersweet to leave them when the time comes to go back to school.
Another thing that I find prominent to do over break is to make sure that I see my parents and give them the quality time they deserve. Most parents revolve their entire lives around us and we barely see them when we’re away at school. I’m betting that many of us forget to call them as often as we should when we are away. Watching a movie in the early evening and conversing with them over a meal is the least college kids can do in comparison to what they do for us. Besides rekindling relationships in our lives over winter break, I also find it is a good time to prioritize and organize. Go through all the old clothes you have, and the old trinkets that make you feel like a mini hoarder. Whether you try to sell those things or give them to Goodwill in the holiday spirit, it feels good to clean your room out and make room for the new things coming.
Yes, winter break can be weird and you may wish for it to go faster due to boredom, but even the little things in life need attention at some point. During the school year we get so wrapped up in mid-terms and finals and trying to somewhat maintain a social life, that we sometimes forget about the other part of our lives; the little things that we have to take care of. Â I challenge you to think about this winter break in a different way and use it to give attention to the people and things that are the most important to you in your life.Â