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How To Survive Winter Break at Home

A Survival Guide to Winter Break Away From College

Jan 02, 2017

Finals are done and graded. You have your car packed and are getting ready to leave your college town to head home for the Holidays. Sure it sounds great to see your family, and pets you left behind, but the nostalgia will soon run out, and you will remember why you wanted to get away for a little while. So what are some ways to pass the time until after the New Year, when you can make your escape back to college?

1)Call up old friends.

These are the friends that you graduated with, and have talked to a couple of times since you moved away. This is NOT for old flames, though I know it can be tempting.

2)Hang out with extended family.

When I left for college the first time my cousins were 8, 10, and 14. Now they are 2 years older, and they love to hang out with their cousin that goes to college and doesn’t see them often. Chances are you will learn some things about them too, and they aren’t the immature kid they were when you left.

3)Don’t be afraid to do things by yourself

When wrapping the presents gets to be too much, don’t be afraid to go out to eat and get a drink (or 6, just have a driver on speed dial). You have been on your own for at least 6 months by now, no one will blame you for needing to get out for a little bit.

4)Go to a High School Basketball Game

I know you said you’d never step foot in that place again, but hear me out. This was the place you spent four years of your life. Surely, there were a few teachers you liked, and chances are you will see at least one of them you know. Also, if it hasn’t been 5 years since you graduated, you probably still have some friends that are still in school. This is a cheap way to see them, and reminisce the misery that was High School.

5)MOST IMPORTANTLY! Try to enjoy the time with your family.

Believe it or not, your family has missed you more than you will ever know. Your little brother/sister is trying to get used to you not being there for them to look up to. Your parents are trying to get used to not waking you up for school every day. They can’t seem to grasp how you survive without them when you’re away. So grit your teeth say “Okay mom and dad,” and let them feel like they are in control at least for a little while.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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