I understand that for many of you, Christmas Break is something you’re familiar with and have experienced many times before. However, returning home from college during Christmas Break can be a completely new beast for a variety of reasons. You’re going to be treated as an adult by family members, and they are going to want to know EVERYTHING about you. The barrage of questions will make it easy to become annoyed and be less than jolly, so I am here to give you a few tips to help you through the holidays and keep your Christmas spirit up!
GIVE YOUR FAMILY THE TIME THEY NEED
After the incredible stress and sleepless nights that can come from bad time management around exam time (for my tips on that subject, click here) it is no wonder that the last thing you want to do is go home and answer even more questions you don’t know the answers to. However, take a second and place yourself in your family’s shoes.
If you don’t live close to school, there’s a good chance they have not seen you in a while and want to check on you without invading your space. They have poured lots of time and resources into making sure you could go to a university like Cornerstone that would meet your needs, so they deserve your time.
While you may become quickly annoyed by answering countless questions, know that your family is asking because they love you—and love is what the season is all about.
PURSUE PERSONAL PROJECTS
I don’t know about you, but I am not the type of person who is able to sit still for long. Sure, everybody needs rest, but it isn’t long before I am looking for the next thing to do. Most Christmas Breaks for college students end up being around a month long, which makes this time of year perfect to pursue some important projects you may have been too busy (or tired) to tackle during the school year.
There are so many different things you can do with all of the newly relinquished free time you have. Rework your resume, organize your portfolio or learn a new skill like video editing, hitchhiking, underwater basket weaving or even Christmas gift wrapping. It’s never too late to learn.
GIVE BACK
So many years ago, Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life to give all of us eternal life if we believe in him as Lord. Yet, an unfortunate number of us (me included) have a hard time giving our time or resources to someone who needs it over the holidays.
There are so many ways to help make someone else’s Christmas special, from volunteering at a soup kitchen to helping your church with a food drive. Jesus saw to it that the needy were cared for, so what better way to celebrate his birth and life than to care for those in need?
TAKE A NAP
Everything I have discussed up until this point requires a good amount of energy and self-discipline to finish and do well. However, I have been leaving possibly the most important discussion piece for last: rest. Take a break. Take a nap. Do whatever you need to do to give yourself the peace that eluded you during finals week.
Above all, do whatever will help you enjoy your Christmas Break to the fullest. It’s a time to catch your breath before the craziness of spring semester hits. So make the most of your Christmas Break with family, friends and relaxation.
Merry Christmas!
