In the weeks leading up to winter break, I could not wait to go home. I was sick of staying up all night finalizing last minute major assignments, studying for finals, eating dining hall food, and so on. All I wanted was to be able to sleep in my own bed (preferably very late into the day), eat home-cooked meals, be surrounded by my friends and family, and not stress over academics for the first time in four months. To me this sounded like the ideal winter break, but so far has been very far from it.

1. My sleeping schedule is more off than it was during the semester.

Of course during the semester there were days I would sleep in later than others, but at least my sleep schedule was consistent. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I woke up at the same time, just like I did on every Tuesday and Thursday. I also scheduled myself a mid-week nap every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon that helped me get through the week. But now that my schedule is not nearly as structured, there are days when I have to get up at 8 o'clock AM and others when I have to force myself to at 1 o'clock PM (seriously the latest I have ever slept in my life as of yesterday). My super comfortable bed is no help either.

2. I have hardly eaten a home-cooked meal.

Dining hall food is not the greatest (at least not where I go to school), but eating from a dining hall does have its perks such as accessibility. At home, I often order takeout because I am too lazy to make myself something to eat. And between all of the afternoons and late nights catching up with friends, I always find myself in another restaurant.

3. Just because I have a break from academics does not mean I am stress free.

Before break I thought that coming home would completely wipe away any stress I had at least until mid-January. I was very wrong. Just because I am no longer studying in the moment does not mean life hesitates to continue stressing me out.

4. Everyone, including friends and family, are on completely different schedules.

Even though I do not have any current commitments does not mean my friends and family do not. For starters, while I am home during the day my family members still have to go to work and school. Many of my friends also work, and our break schedules are quite different too. The holidays are no help either because even though I immensely enjoy them, they take up a few weekends during break that have prevented me from seeing many of my friends so far.

Break might not be what I originally thought it was going to be, but I cannot complain. I have enjoyed my time so far surrounded by my family and friends, eating the few home-cooked meals I have, and sleeping in my own bed, all of which is made better by the holiday season.