College breaks, especially long ones, can be a great chance for students to reconnect with family and friends that may be too far away to see frequently during the school year. But not everyone looks forward to the chance to go home for the holidays. Whether a family is unloving or just irritating, it can be tough for students who’ve adjusted to the relative freedom of college living when they return to a parent’s rules or a sibling’s neediness. Here are some tips to make the most out of winter break!
Abandon annoying habits! Maybe in your room at school you’ve got a pile of laundry the same height as you, but your parents are the kind of people who lose it if there’s one shirt left on the floor. Maybe you’re prone to leaving your makeup strewn across your desk but you know your sibling would flip if you left it scattered across your bathroom counter at home. Decide now not to engage in your messier habits if you know that they’ll bother people; break is only three weeks long after all, and then you can get back to a space full of chaos. The peace will be worth it.
Take power naps! Not just naps, of course, but any activity that helps you regenerate. Especially early on in the break, you’ll still be exhausted from school and may find yourself being short or argumentative with your family. Take a nap, watch a movie, bake—anything that will calm you down and give you a chance to recuperate. If you find yourself getting heated, step away.
Plan positive things to do with your family! Do you love your family but often find yourself fighting with them? One way to avoid this is to plan things together that you know don’t tend to cause arguments. Then you can be together without the lack of structure that can lead to fights. Whether it’s baking cookies with your sister, watching Christmas movies with dad or playing board games with the whole family, plan things you know will just be fun without the drama.
Make plans! Not all families are just marginally annoying. Some are unloving, toxic or dangerous. If you can’t get out of going home but want to spend as much time as possible away from your family, making plans with old friends can be a great way to avoid the drama while also catching up with your pals. Schedule sleepovers, gaming tournaments or trips to wintery attractions like light festivals with your friends or other family members who might also want a chance to escape.
Whatever your family situation, there are steps you can take to make the most of your break and enjoy it as much as possible. And if it ever becomes too overwhelming, just remember: school will start back up before you know it!