The fact that I used the word “con” in reference to a break from school may very well leave college-aged readers, and all readers really, in total shock and disbelief. “Hannah,” they might ask, “how can a holiday spent with yummy food and great company be accompanied with cons?” Well, over my break, I did some ruminating on the makings of a memorable school break. And suffice it to say, the pros did outweigh the cons, but I also didn’t minimize the less-than-ideal parts of our holidays away. Here, I’ve listed just four different aspects of our school break that range from friends, family, pets, and actual school. I hope this provides everyone with some content to digest at the dinner table, alongside mashed taters and cranberry sauce!
FRIENDS
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PRO: Hangout seshes—This one seems to be an OBVIOUS pro because I think most people tend to highly anticipate their friends’ arrivals home from their respective colleges. Jettisoning off in search of our hometown hangouts and wholesome conversations about all the moments we missed is so special to me, but without realizing it, we also form memories over breaks within the gossip and ease-of-conversations we share with friends who have been reconnected. I live vicariously through their tales and share my own stories… sometimes, I write my own about them ;)
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CON: Time management—I had this discussion with many of my friends about the PRESSURE that comes with everyone coming back home at the same time. While it feels like a dream come true, trying to schedule and prioritize every hangout sesh is a logistical nightmare and undoubtedly, but also unintentionally, will result in some hurt feelings. I told one of my BFFs, “It’s timing that sucks, it’s definitely not you who sucks!”
FAMILY
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PRO: Catching up with the fam-bam—As much as I love seeing all my buddies, family truly is forever. Being able to walk through the door of any family home and having warm embraces and mile-wide smiles is such a highly sought-after experience when away at school, because that is usually what I desperately want and need.
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CON: Meticulous questions—This is in NO way meant as a slight to anyone in my family because it also 100% happens to almost every college kid—I can imagine—but immediately after getting home, I am barraged with questions about school, homework, grades, boys, my impending social life, etc., etc., etc. It’s overwhelming in the best way because I LOVE that my family is so supportive and that they want to hear all about my life, but on my school breaks… I wanna not talk about school.
PETS
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PRO: Seeing pets—Look, this one is pretty self-explanatory. I could barely sleep the night before I traveled home because I knew I’d be petting my pooch very, very soon. It’s one of the sweetest homecomings and it’ll never get old.
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CON: Leaving pets—Knowing that even though you can explain it 100 times as I leave, the idea that they’ll never truly understand where I’m going when I walk out the door shatters my heart. I always remember to reassure my dog, Birdie, that I’ll be back sooner than she’ll know I’m gone but it’s still so hard to hear the melancholy whimpers as I make my way back to school.
SCHOOL
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PRO: Getting, well, a break—This one is also almost too easy to explain. Students hit the daily grind from August to late November, and barring any extenuating circumstances, we usually remain at school until break unless we have cars or go home for events. And we’re rewarded for our hard work with a much needed reprieve.
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CON: Leaving other “home”—Although it took me awhile, I have made Winona my home-away-from-home, so uprooting my routine is a little difficult (but very rewarding once I settle into break-mode). I miss my friends when I’m at home, and I miss my home when I’m at school… will I ever find a middle ground?
While this is not a comprehensive list of pros and cons for school breaks, namely Thanksgiving, I hope I provided everyone with food for thought that you were all able to gobble up and devour just in time for our next school break: WINTER!
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