Exams are over!! Congratulations!! You did it!!!!
Enjoy this feeling. Don't think about school for the next week or two. RELAX.
I miss that feeling of being DONE. I feel it a little bit as a teacher this semester, actually. That feeling of submitting grades. Being done. It feels good.
Take some time to enjoy it.
And then, when you feel rested, start priming again for next semester. How you do this is up to you, but here are some things I used to (and still) do during my winter breaks:
1. Buy a new journal for the year and start writing your thoughts about how the past year went and what you want to accomplish next year.
2. Make a collage of pictures and quotes that inspire you for next year and hang it up in your room or office.
3. Write down some goals or intentions for the next year. Keep them small, specific, little things you can control. Especially new habits you'd like to adopt - what is one thing you can do every day that would help you reach one of your biggest goals?
4. Choose a good book and make it a goal to finish it before the next semester. The book should be something that can help you improve or get better at something you're trying to achieve. If you have a friend or a group of friends with the same interests or goals, start a mini book club or just read together and chat about it periodically.
5. Do something artistic. Paint, draw, write, take pictures, dance, sing, build, play an instrument, act, etc. You don't need to be good at it. Just create something original. I don't have any science behind this for you, but it's something I do every year and it always rejuvenates me for the next year and makes me feel like I can do anything. For some reason, I don't get discouraged at my terrible water colors or colored-pencil drawings. They aren't good - trust me. I know that. But it doesn't bother me. I still find joy in creating something just from my own brain. It's empowering somehow. Try it. Trust me.
Due to winter break I won't be posting as frequently until January so if I don't see you until then, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!! :)
Your to do list item this week? HAVE FUN!!
I hope you enjoy this week and take some time to relax.
And those of you living, well, not in Florida - please make a snowman for me!
The holidays are a great time to spend with family, but the free time from college can also offer you some time to spend with friends (without all that exam stress hanging over you).
I travel a lot during the college semesters, but like you in the winter time I get a little break. In addition to spending time reading and planning for next year, I also try to spend as much time with friends as possible.
And it's wonderful.
But, as I'm sure you already know, as you get older more effort is required to hang out with friends. Schedules get busy and thus plans (ahead of time) have to be made.
So today my charge to you is to not sit around waiting for someone to ask you to hang out. Be proactive, and start making plans with people you enjoy spending time with.
Don't worry if everyone can't always hang out - keep asking until some plans are made. I'm sure you already know what would be fun to you, but here are some ideas:
Coffee/tea
Theme parks
Movies
Holiday events in your community
Lunch/Dinner
Bake/cook at your place
Sleepover
Video games
See a play
Play a sport
Sign up for a 5K and train with friends
Trivia nights
Hiking/biking
Do Christmas shopping together
Have a wrapping party
Volunteer with a non-profit
So pick an activity and text a friend. Then laugh and enjoy this study-free time for all it's worth.
