THE SEMESTER has flown by. It feels as if classes started only yesterday. Yet, for many people, the intensity of the college academic schedule has made its mark and worn people out. Even with breaks like the Reading Holiday and Thanksgiving, many of my classmates and I can't wait to get finals over with and get back home as quickly as possible.
As we immerse ourselves in what seems to be pointless hours of study for some dreaded final or another, home begins to look like a pretty idyllic place. But, is being back at home really that great?
Even though I love being at college, I will be the first to admit that I yearn for an awful lot of things from home. I miss my friends and family, my Mom's cooking, and that sense of familiarity in my house and hometown. Although visiting for a weekend or a slightly longer break is a nice homey change of pace from university life, going home for an extended amount of time like Winter Break can be quite a different story. For the first few days home, things usually are great. Getting back into the pace of home life feels good, like finding a long lost pair of well worn shoes that still fits perfectly.
Most people's parents usually treat them like honored guests, cooking their favorite foods and just being extra nice overall. However, as the break goes on, the novelty of having the kid back at home wears thin. Things begin to feel just like they used to back in the summer, when most of us couldn't wait to get back to the freedom of the University. Usually one of the biggest complaints from parents is about the new hours that we now go out at. They just can't seem to understand that 8, 9, 10 or even 11 o' clock is way too early to start the evening. And on the flipside, that midnight, 1 or 2 a.m. definitely is too soon to call it a night. At first, parents will be surprised at the new schedule, but they will give their kids leeway.
After a few weeks of it, though, it's customary for parents to start raising concerns. When that occurs, students should sit down with Mom and Dad and carefully explain how the college lifestyle differs from their way of life. Then students can only hope that they will either be cool with it, or that they will remember their own glory days and understand the collegiate body rhythm. If parents still are unconvinced, it might be a good idea to keep on going out at the times they disapprove of. They will sooner or later get used to the idea, as my parents have. After all, if there is anything to be learned in college, it is that outdated views on appropriate socializing hours should be no cause to ruin a good time. Probably the biggest threat to a good winter break is the malaise that can settle in.
After having seen all the old friends and gone back to the old hangouts a few times, such outings can get boring fast. Even though it may seem like too much work, look for new places, or plan a road trip. Canada or New York usually are good bets, even though they can require a good deal of preparation and a bit of cash. Not doing anything for the entire break sometimes just doesn't cut it. Lying around the house is great for a few days, but it quickly can get old. As tough as it may appear, a little initiative can go a long way to making a great Winter Break. Another detail to watch out for is nostalgia. Things change when students are away from college, and more importantly, people change.
Don't be too surprised if your friends have changed. In my experience, the biggest metamorphosis I have seen is a pair of guys that had been clean cut and preppy in high school and came back from college as shaggy hippies. In addition, students may not notice that they themselves have changed.
Many of us have been exposed to different people, music and experiences, and it may take different things to please us than it did in high school. It is a good idea to greet all these adjustments with an open mind and make the best out of them. Although people might find themselves pining for the way things used to be, change can be good; it all depends on one's outlook. As we prepare for finals, and for that ultimate trip back home, don't let any of my admonitions worry you. I am just sharing a few observations that I have gained through my experience. Winter Break can and should be fun. But it is as most other things in life, only as much as you make out of it. Happy holidays, and to all University students, have a great Winter Break.
(Alex Rosemblat is a Cavalier Daily columnist. He can be reached at arosemblat@cavalierdaily.com.)
Read More
PATEL: Personal development courses support students beyond the gradebook
By Heer Patel | 22 hours agoThe University must rethink its approach to education beyond traditional major-specific requirements and mandate personal development courses.
EDITORIAL: Commercialization threatens U.Va.’s educational mission
By Editorial Board | YesterdayAfter all, measuring the University’s worth in terms of accrued capital, operational efficiency and numerical rankings molds this space into just another cookie-cutter institution.
YOUNIS: Why every U.Va. student should say yes to English
By Ayat Younis | 6 days agoEvery student at the University, regardless of their primary field of study, can professionally and academically benefit from engaging with the English department.
