If you're a college kid, chances are you're home on winter break right now. It can be alright-- no classes for a bit and you get to see your old friends. It's not too bad... until a few weeks after the honeymoon period of break.
After a couple weeks home, things can get a little rough-- any college student knows this firsthand. This break is just too long. Here are a few things all college kids experience during their breaks:
1. Extreme boredom
After a few weeks, the novelty of being home and with your family wears off. Sure, you love them and you're grateful that you get to spend time with them, but what do they do around here when you're gone? Netflix binge?
Somehow, Netflix binging is so much more satisfying when you're alone in your dorm (and probably putting off school work).
2. Family tension
All your boredom will eventually catch up to you... in the form of terrorizing your family, most likely. As hard as you try, you just have to take out your pent up anger on them. You're always together and it gets to be a bit much.
Suddenly you remember why you went to school so far away.
3. No meal plan
Seriously, how do they live here? Mom makes you a nice meal the first couple nights you're home, but you're on your own after that. Being left to your own devices can mean a couple things: either you make something, heat up some soggy leftovers, or buy food. You can't just walk to student dining and get whatever you want.
What kind of life is that?
4. Your friends are FOREVER away
When you get the luxury of having your friends all in the same town, it's hard to go back to any other way. Now, even if I had the time or the money to see my friends, I'd have to go all over the state just to get to them. Sorry guys, but I am not about that driving life.
5. Jobs are scarce
Being away at school caused me to lose my solid job after three years, so that was cool. This past summer I tried for months and months to find a job, but I only ended up with a seasonal one, which meant no guaranteed job for winter, either.
Places don't like to hire college students because we're gone for so much of the year, so getting a job is a big pain. Now I'm just poor, bored, and unemployed.
6. Your parents don't understand your need to drink every night
"Isn't that your second glass of wine?"
"Why are you drinking alone in the dark?"
You don't know my life, mom.
Winter break is nice... for a little bit. After the glory of finishing finals is all over and we realize we're stuck for a month, it becomes almost like a burden rather than a blessing.
But hang in there, guys-- just remember that this break is nothing compared to summer break!