Whenever lengthy breaks from school roll around, I always end up holing up in my parent’s house for a good two weeks. The introvert in me takes over and I switch off between reading for fun, watching Netflix, and sleeping to fill up my time. I might go out and see a an old friend from high school once. Maybe twice if I’m lucky.
During these breaks, it’s very possible that I wont leave the house for days unless I actively make plans with someone. This can actually turn out to be a bad thing, because when I’m not doing anything with my life, I get really anxious.
That’s not the point, though. The point is, break is so close. A week from now, I will be done with everything and this long and grueling semester will be over. Okay, in all honesty, it really didn’t feel that long. The last day of classes is tomorrow and that actually feels kind of weird. This semester still needs to be over though; it may have gone by quickly, but that didn’t make it any less exhausting. As much as I want to enjoy this last week, I also am looking forward to having the precious free time that will only come after I turn in my last two assignments by 10:30 on Thursday.
The first few days of break, I plan on doing nothing but reading, writing, sleeping, and watching some Netflix. Mad Men is calling, people! I cannot wait to read more for fun! I day dream about reading for fun, I really do! I hope to do some posts about books over break, since books are something I’d like to write more about. I kind of need to read some books before I write about them, though! The last book for fun I finished was A Fault in Our Stars in something like September. I’m slowly working my way through another non-school book right now, though it’s taking a while. I can’t wait to sit in front of the Christmas tree with a mug of hot cocoa (or maybe a glass of wine?) and a book in hand. Books are so important to me and I haven’t read enough of them this year. I only read two books during the eight weeks I was in D.C., which, looking back, kind of makes me want to cry. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my time in D.C. I kind of wish I would have taken some time to just go out on the National Mall and read at times, though. That would have been perfect!
Okay, but break. That’s what this post is supposed to be about! I can’t wait to make and decorate Christmas cookies. I’m excited to see family I haven’t seen in a while. I’ve been talking about possibly going to a concert with my best friend since Kindergarten and plans with another elementary school friend are in the works…she’s heading to Ireland next semester, I haven’t seen her in over a year, and I’d really like to meet up with her before she flies out! My college friends and I are planning to get together for New Years, which I’m super excited for!
My goal is to make the most of my last winter break! Winter breaks don’t exist in the real world! While I’d like to go to grad school eventually, winter break wont be the same then because I’ll probably need to work to support myself. Let’s face it, if I do end up returning to school, I’ll also probably be freaking about how hard grad school is all the time, including over break. So, this is my last official school winter break where I am actually free to do as I please.
That being said, I can’t spend my whole break frolicking around and doing whatever. In order to keep my anxiety down and plan ahead, I must get some work done. I need to start thinking about a presentation to present for winter CA training. I have to prepare for a really cool distance mentorship program that I’m participating in next semester with students and professors from other universities (I just had a meeting about that today and it’s going to be a lot of work, but also a lot of fun!). I also have to start thinking about post-graduation plans. I’m have no idea what I’m doing after graduation, so I want to start look into different job opportunities and formulating some plans over break.
I do have a lot to do over winter break, but I’ll be able to do it at a more leisurely pace. I will still have time to enjoy the little things that make life so special. It is the holiday season, after all.
It's a Britta Bottle! 