College students often head home for a month or more following finals in December. For many, this is a wonderful time to catch up on sleep (and TV) and to reconnect with family and friends. But for some college students, this vacation can be rife with tension and disappointment.
So what advice do current sophomores, juniors, and seniors have for freshmen who are about to experience their first winter break? And what have been the highlights (and low points) of your own breaks over your college years so far?
You used to be a HS students. Now you are a college student returning home after living a much more independent life.
What not to do: Be completely independent, not tell your parent what you are doing, but also expecting your parents to do everything for you.
What to do: Talk to them soon after you get home…“Mom, Dad…I know it is going to be a little weird for us over break…I am used to being independent and you are not used to that. So I will let you know where I am going, and when you can expect me back/or I will text you if I am staying over. But as an adult, I am not expecting to have a curfew. But I understand I am part of this household so will let you know what is going on.”
What to do: Help with chores that are caused by you…like wash your own clothes, clean the bathroom you use, put your dishes in dishwasher, help cook occasionally.
What to do: If you can, get some work over break…or something to do!
What to do: Schedule some time with your family. Say “I want to see my friends, and I want to do some stuff with you all too. Let me know some dates/activities and I will plan around those.” Your parents won’t get annoyed you go out if they know they will be seeing you on Saturday.
^Good post. Also, let your parents know if you will be home for dinner. When my kids are away, DH and I don’t cook much in the evening. I don’t mind cooking for kids when they’re home, but it’s hard when I prepare something and then at the last second learn they’re going out with friends (especially when on other days, they say, “What’s for dinner???”).
I’d emphaize balancing spending time with family and time alone/ with friends. As a current junior, I try to maximize my time with my family when I’m at home since I haven’t lived there for longer than 3 weeks at a time since moving out for freshman year. It’s important to spend time with them, especially your parents. Chances are they are making some big sacrifices to make your education happen, so spending time with them is the least you can do if for no other reason. That being said, I know for me, if I spend too much time with my family, especially my sister, I get driven up a wall. You’ll be reminded of and thrown into all of the little annoyances and pet peeves that your family has that you forgot about during your first semester away. I make sure to take a couple hours alone each day, whether its going for a run, reading, or just watching a bit of netflix in my room. As an introvert, it really helps me recharge and make sure I’m not annoyed or passive aggressive around my family at all.
I’ll also echo what bopper said above - help with the chores! I don’t have a job over winter break since all my summer jobs haven’t been in my hometown and my parents work full time. I always do the dishes, do my own laundry, and offer to help with dinner and the rest of the laundry and cleaning when I’m home. I think that it’s important to contribute to the household and pull your weight or more when you’re home. It gives me something productive to do when I’m bored and my mom appreciates it a lot
