As a person that plans her life away, I thought my plans for Thanksgiving Break might be beneficial to you. Here are 8 productive things you can do over break, including everyone’s favorite two things! That is, eating and sleeping.

1. Destress.

Because you can’t be productive in any other aspect if the stress in your life in overbearing. Meditate. Do some yoga. Get some much needed rest and restoration.

2. Work on that essay or assignment that’s due the week after break.

Because you know you have one. You can keep trying to push it to the back of your mind, but in the end, when break is over, IT’S STILL GOING TO BE DUE. Better to get it over with while you have lots of free time, right?

3. Fill out the FAFSA.

It opened back up in October. Mercer is a high-priced school, so in my mind, the more financial aid the better. Plus, financial aid can sometimes be on a first-come first-serve basis. Get a headstart: fill out the FAFSA for Spring semester.

4. Study for finals.

No one likes finals, but they’re a necessary evil. Put some prevention mechanisms into place to defeat the evil. Don’t let it whisper into your ear acid nothings: “You’re a failure,” “You’re stupid,” “You can’t succeed.” You’re not a failure, you are smart, and you will succeed. That is, if you study.

5. Laundry.

Thanksgiving Break is a good time to get EVERYTHING washed. Not just your day-to-day clothes, but bed sheets and covers, shoes, accessories like scarves. Hygiene is important, but sometimes we let it become secondary to the essays we write and the tests we take.

6. Enjoy family.

Let’s face it: A lot of us don’t see our immediate family all that often, let alone our extended family.Thanksgiving Break is a great opportunity to bask in their presence.

7. Enjoy good and healthy food.

Let’s face it, again. Mercer dining options aren’t all that good for your and my health. And I know you want to gorge on turkey and macaroni and cheese (I do to), but during break, find a way to sneak something healthy in.

8. Ask your parents to buy stuff that you needed but were too broke to buy.

We’re college students. They’ll understand. We don’t have real income coming in. Unless you checked out Ariel Daniel’s article and got inspired. I’m an entrepreneur (I have 2 self-published books) and a freelancer, but if my parents ask if I need anything, then I will be the first to admit that I’m going to take advantage of their offered resources.

9. Do what makes you happy and enjoy some you time.

Everyone deserves happiness, even if it’s fleeting (a pleasure moment, as my psychology professor would say). Writing makes me happy. Unless it’s writing essays for Great Books. Then, I’m not so happy. But in general, I love writing poetry, fiction, even articles. That’s my me time. Take a moment during break to just enjoy you.

Did I forget an essential thing to do over break? If so, comment down below!